Maryland Attorney General's status report on 2023 police involved death investigations

BALTIMORE — The Maryland Attorney General's Office on Wednesday released a status report on 20 police involved death investigations over the last 15 months.

In 2021 the General Assembly passed a law tasking the Attorney General's Office with investigating and reviewing all civilian fatalities that happened during encounters with police.

Beginning on October 1, 2023 the office was granted sole authority to criminally prosecute officers, whereas previously only local state's attorney's where the alleged offense occurred could do so.

In total since its inception the office has investigated 43 fatal incidents, including 22 shootings and 16 vehicle incidents.

So far just one officer has been indicted , although no use of force was involved.

Last May a Baltimore City Police officer was indicted for vehicular manslaughter after accidentally striking and killing a person riding a scooter on the way to an emergency call.

This past year saw a 15 percent decline in police involved shootings from the year prior.

SEE ALSO: Last Year's Report

Of the 20 cases between October 1, 2022 and December 31, 2023 — 7 remain open and active.

Here is a list of those 7 cases.

1. Darryl Gamble was wanted on a warrant when he died in a shootout with police.
2. Trea Ellinger died after being restrained by police and medics during a behavioral crisis.
3. Dashawn Redding died in a crash after allegedly firing shots at another motorist. Police were trying to pull him over.
4. Arnel Redfern was killed in a shootout with police after murdering his wife.
5. Lavaughn Coleman died after falling and hitting his head from being tased by police.
6. Damione Gardner died in a crash. He was a passenger inside a speeding vehicle being followed by police.
7. A juvenile died in a crash. They were a passenger inside a fleeing vehicle that struck a police car.

Since being compiled, there have been additional police involved deaths.

1. Fleeing suspect driving with stolen tags crashes leaving person dead
2. Police kill man suspected of overnight shooting, carjacking spree
3. Baltimore County Police investigating deadly officer-involved shooting at Pikesville gas station
   

The full status report can be read here.