WOMAN IS SHOT, KILLED BY POLICE IN DRUG RAID

Her Stepdaughter's 1996 'Suicide' Later Was Ruled Homicide

In the early hours Friday, the quiet neighborhood of Gray Haven awoke to
gunfire and the booming sounds of a police raid that resulted in the death
of a woman well known in the community.

Just before 5 a.m., officers from the Baltimore County Police Tactical Unit
were serving a search and seizure warrant related to a narcotics
investigation at a home in the 8100 block of Del Haven Road when two
officers approached the bedroom door on the second floor, according to
police spokesman Ofc. Shawn Vinson.

When they opened the door, the officers allegedly were met by Cheryl Noel,
44, who was pointing a handgun at them, Vinson said.

Fearing for his life, one officer fired three shots, according to Vinson,
striking and killing Noel.

As of Tuesday, it was unknown how many of the shots fired by the officer
struck Noel, pending the results of an autopsy, Vinson said.

There is much speculation within the Gray Manor community about whether
Noel intended to shoot the officer or was afraid of a burglary. Vinson said
the officers conducting the search announced themselves well in advance.

"Flash-bangs were set off before the raid," Vinson said, referring to small
explosive devices used by police to distract intended targets of a raid and
to protect officers. "And the officers yelled 'Police, police, police'
throughout the course of the raid as is procedure."

But to some who knew Noel, her death came as a shock amid speculation of
police error.

"I have to believe that Cheryl came to the door thinking someone was
breaking into her house," said Martin Porter, who worked with Noel at the
Back River Waste Water Treatment Plant. "I think the police overreacted.
This was an absolute injustice."

Porter remembered Noel as being religious and getting her life back on track.

"She led a Bible study group during her lunch break," Porter said. "She was
no drug user. Cheryl was getting back to the gym. It's a shame."

In her neighborhood, Noel's alleged actions did not fit her personality,
according to a man who lived three doors up from Noel's home.

"It's hard to believe that she would pull a gun like that," said the
neighbor, who asked that his name not be used. "She was a hard worker. I
saw her every day."

Another neighbor, Nick Moskos, recalled the events of Friday morning.

"I heard several random shots," Moskos said. "We were all wondering what
was going on. Then the police came by and told us about the raid."

Though he barely knew Noel, Moskos was aware of her reputation in the area
for being a good neighbor.

"Everybody said she was awesome," Moskos said.

The officer involved in the shooting was placed on administrative leave
pending an investigation by the county's homicide and internal affairs
divisions, according to Vinson. Police did not identify him.

Vinson refused to comment on whether Noel was suspected of criminal
activity as part of the investigation.

On Friday, police charged Noel's husband, Charles, 51, with two counts of
possession of black powder - possessing any amount over five pounds is
illegal in Baltimore County, according to Vinson - and single counts of
possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

Matthew Noel, 19, and Sarah Betz, also 19, were charged with possession of
drug paraphernalia and possession of marijuana, according to Vinson.

All were later released on their own recognizance, Vinson said.

Earlier death by gunfire

The Noel family is no stranger to violent, suspicious death.

In May 1996, the family lost Cheryl Noel's step-daughter, Brandy, 16, to
what at the time was ruled a suicide.

But after much speculation by her friends at Dundalk High School - police
said the revolver used in the killing was found in her right hand, but
classmates told police Noel was left-handed - and a tip by an informant,
county detectives ruled Brandy's death a homicide about a year after her
body was found.

In April 1997, police arrested Nicholas Jachel-ski Jr., then 19, of Grafton
W. Va., and charged him with manslaughter. Jach-elski also faced burglary
charges in West Virginia in connection with the killing.

A then-16-year-old boy was who was at the home at the time of Brandy's
death was charged with second-degree murder.

An informant told police that the two suspects were playing Russian
roulette when Brandy was shot by the juvenile holding a gun that Jachelski
had allegedly stolen from West Virginia.

"It was a parent's worst nightmare," said Cheryl Noel at the time. "Now to
deal with the fact that somebody killed her is something else."