Baltimore County Police I.D. shooter in 1981 cold case Liberty Road murder
On September 25, the Baltimore County Police Department reported that they identified and named their suspect in a 1981 shooting murder. As of this writing, it’s been 44 years since the murder of 59-year-old Samuel Allen.
On August 2, 1981, Baltimore County officers responded to the 6400 block of Liberty Road in the Lochearn section, where they located Mr. Allen, fatally shot inside his home. Allen’s wife and daughter, who were there at the time, witnessed the shooting. The two were in the kitchen when an unknown armed suspect appeared wearing surgical gloves, carrying a blue cloth-type bag, demanding money.
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When Allen entered the kitchen, the suspect fired two shots, striking the 59-year-old once in the upper body. The suspect then demanded Allen’s wallet and removed money from it. He then demanded money from Allen’s wife and daughter, prior to forcing Allen’s daughter out the door with him.
It was then that the shooter realized he had misplaced the bag he was carrying – and he was unable to locate it.
Once detectives arrived on the scene, they recovered the bag and shirt and packaged the items as evidence. Despite an exhaustive investigation, the case remained open.
In 2023, after speaking with Samuel Allen’s daughter, detectives assigned to the Baltimore County Police Department’s Cold Case Squad reviewed the case. They determined that the evidence collected decades earlier was suitable for DNA analysis. Detectives sent the pouch and shirt to DNA Laboratories International for processing, where scientists successfully obtained a CODIS eligible DNA profile from the blue bag.
In November 2024, forensic analysts entered the profile into CODIS, and one month later, notified Baltimore County detectives of a CODIS hit and potential suspect. The DNA matched that of 75-year-old Alan Bass, an adult male currently incarcerated in Delaware serving a life sentence. After Baltimore County detectives obtained a warrant for Bass’ DNA, analysts conducted further testing.
On January 31, 2025, DNA Labs notified Baltimore County Cold Case detectives that Alan Bass’ DNA profile was consistent with the DNA profile recovered from the blue bag.
Alan Bass is currently serving five consecutive life sentences in Delaware on rape charges. While there is an open warrant charging Bass with Samuel Allen’s murder, he will not be brought back to Maryland to stand trial due to significant health conditions.
Should Bass’ status change in Delaware, the Baltimore County State’s Attorney’s Office is fully prepared to move forward and prosecute the case.
For more on this story of justice served, see the video below.
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Source and cover photo of Allen Bass “then and now” booking photos: Baltimore County Police Department)
Posted by Richard Webster, Ace News Today
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