A Mount Airy man was charged yesterday by Maryland State Police with fatally shooting a Beltsville man in the front doorway of the Mount Airy home.

Dennis B. Absher, 55, of the 4700 block of Roop Road was charged with first-degree murder in the killing of Aaron H. Smith, 26.

Police said troopers went to Absher's residence about 2 a.m. yesterday after receiving a call from someone inside the home.

When the troopers arrived, they found Smith lying dead in the doorway.

Capt. Greg Shipley, a state police spokesman, said Absher, who uses a wheelchair, was taken by ambulance to Carroll County General Hospital in Westminster because he appeared to be "extremely intoxicated."

Absher was treated at the hospital and released, then taken to the Westminster police station, where he was questioned by state troopers before he was charged.

Investigators used the Westminster police station instead of the Westminster state police barracks because the station is accessible by wheelchair.

Police said a search of Absher's home turned up a firearm, but it was unknown whether the weapon was used in the killing.

Shipley said Smith was acquainted with Absher, but investigators were unclear about the nature of their relationship.

Absher was being held at the Carroll County Detention Center last night. Police said a motive for the shooting had not been determined.

Pub Date: 4/25/99