Officers Named In Fatal Shooting Over Red Flag Order: UPDATE

GLEN BURNIE, MD — Anne Arundel County Police have released the names of two police officers who were struggled with a Glen Burnie man who was shot and killed by one of the officers who showed up at his house to serve a protective order early Monday, Nov. 5. Officers were serving Emergency Relief Protective Order paperwork at 103 Linwood when an armed man struggled with police over a gun and officers then fired, police say.

The two officers involved are Corporal J. Hooper, a five year veteran with the department assigned to the Bureau of Patrol, and Police First Class G. Zawodny, also a five-year veteran, assigned to the Bureau of Patrol, authorities said Tuesday. Both officers have been placed on administrative leave per departmental policy.

The department has not said which officer fired the shot that killed Gary J. Willis, 61, of Glen Burnie. Willis was the subject of the Extreme Risk Protective Order under the new Red Flag Law and a protective order, answered the door holding a gun. Willis then placed the gun next to the door.

When officers began to serve Willis with the order, he reportedly became irate, opened the door and grabbed the gun, said police department public information officer Sgt. Jacklyn Davis. When an officer tried to take the gun away from Willis, the gun fired. A second officer fired their service weapon, striking Willis, who was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Homicide Unit responded and Willis' body was taken to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for autopsy to determine the cause of death.

The names of the police officers involved in the altercation have not been released. No officers were injured in the struggle.

"Prayers for all officers and families involved," the department tweeted.

An Extreme Risk Protective Order is a court-issued civil order temporarily requiring a person to:

• Surrender any firearms or ammunition to law enforcement; and
• Not purchase or possess firearms or ammunition.

With reasonable belief that a person meets the requirements, the order allows the court to refer someone for an emergency evaluation due to a mental disorder, according to the Maryland Courts website.

Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to contact the Homicide Unit at 410-222-4731. Callers wishing to remain anonymous are asked to call the Tip Line at 410-222-4700.

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Image via Anne Arundel County Police