Ex-Hogan Aide McGrath Shot Himself, FBI Also Fired In Incident: Report

Updated at 4:35 p.m.

BALTIMORE, MD — The ex-chief of staff to former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan shot himself in an exchange of gunfire with FBI agents, but it's not clear who fired the gunshot that killed Roy McGrath, who was declared a fugitive last month, the Washington Post reported.

McGrath, 53, was sought by federal officials after failing to appear in court on theft and fraud charges nearly three weeks ago. He died after being captured in Knoxville, Tennessee, Monday, according to multiple reports.

McGrath died of a gunshot wound, though it is not clear whether the injury was self-inflicted or whether it occurred in an exchange of gunfire with FBI agents, lawyer Joseph Murtha said in an email shared with NBC News.

On Tuesday afternoon, the Post cited a law enforcement document that said McGrath is believed to have shot himself following a traffic stop in Tennessee. FBI agents also fired during the encounter, the document said, and it is unclear who fire the fatal shot.

McGrath's fatal injury occurred during his arrest in Knoxville at 6:30 p.m. Monday, an FBI spokesman told NBC News. The spokesman also said that an "agent-involved shooting" is under review but did not say who fired the shot.

The Baltimore Banner reported that agents encountered McGrath at a commercial intersection and opened fire. McGrath died at the hospital, according to the outlet.

Reports last week revealed that federal authorities had zeroed in their search in on the southern United States in their search for McGrath, who was facing an eight-count federal indictment on charges of wire fraud, including securing a $233,648 severance payment equal to one year of salary as the head of Maryland Environmental Service, according to the Department of Justice. Authorities said McGrath falsified a document that appeared to be from Hogan approving the severance payment.

McGrath also faces fraud and embezzlement charges connected to roughly $170,000 in expenses, according to The Associated Press.

Former Maryland governor Larry Hogan appointed McGrath in 2016 as executive director of Maryland Environmental Service, a state-owned agency that provides environmental services to state and local government agencies, federal government entities, and private clients. McGrath resigned from the agency on May 31, 2020, and became Hogan's chief of staff a day later.

According to court documents, McGrath is also accused of using his position as director and chief of staff to get Maryland Environmental Service to issue payments to himself.

Charges were filed against McGrath in the fall of 2021. He was released pending trial and allowed to travel between Maryland and Florida, where he lived. Other travel required approval by federal officials.

When McGrath didn't show up to his arraignment, police checked his home in Naples, Florida, but he wasn't there, prompting authorities to issue a warrant for his arrest.

A day later, the U.S. Marshals Service announced they launched an interstate manhunt for McGrath.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.