Maryland's attorney general said he won't file criminal charges against three Howard County police officers involved in the fatal March shooting of a 25-year-old Columbia man with autism.
Attorney General Anthony Brown announced on Tuesday that his Independent Investigations Division determined the officers did not commit a crime under Maryland law in the death of Alexander Lamorie, who was shot at least nine times during a wellness check outside his apartment complex in Columbia.
According to investigators, Howard County police responded to Patuxent Commons, located at 6441 Freetown Road, around 12:09 a.m. on Sunday, March 1, after Lamorie called 911 to report he was being harassed and blackmailed. While speaking with officers by phone before they arrived, the Attorney General's Office said Lamorie made suicidal statements.
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Officers searched the apartment complex but did not initially locate Lamorie. As they exited the building, investigators said Lamorie approached them from a parking lot holding a knife.
According to the Attorney General's Office, officers repeatedly ordered Lamorie to drop the knife, but he continued advancing toward them. Officers Cody Bostic, Joel Rodriguez and Pfc. Joseph Riebau then fired their department-issued guns, striking Lamorie.
According to a Baltimore Sun report, Lamorie was struck at least nine times. The officers immediately began providing medical aid until emergency responders arrived, but Lamorie was pronounced dead at the scene. Investigators recovered a knife near his body. No officers were injured.
At a news conference held by authorities on March 12, HCPD Police Chief Gregory Der said that LaMorie had called 911 because he'd fallen victim to an extortion scam. He also said that LaMorie told the dispatcher he had exchanged personal information and photographs with someone who claimed to be a young woman.
Then LaMorie received a threatening text that if he didn't pay the person money, all of his photos and texts would be released, Patch reported previously.
The Independent Investigations Division opened its investigation on the day of the shooting and completed it on July 1.
After reviewing the evidence, the Attorney General's Office concluded the officers' actions did not violate Maryland criminal law and declined to prosecute.
A detailed report outlining the investigation and legal analysis was also released by the Attorney General's Office.
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