Actions 'Justified' For Howard County Police Involved In Fatal Shooting
HOWARD COUNTY, Md. (WJZ)—No criminal charges will be filed against Howard County police officers involved in the shooting death of an Elkridge man last month.
"We have reviewed the investigative reports and conducted our own investigation and have concluded (that) the actions of the officers in using deadly force were justified," wrote State's Attorney Dario J. Broccolino in the brief memo.
Jeffrey Dustin Nichols, 19, of the 6600-block of Grouse Road died at the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center after a confrontation with police at an industrial park in the 7400-block of Hi Tech Drive in Hanover.
According to police, the county's 911 call center received a call at approximately 3 p.m. on Nov. 7 reporting that an armed man fired shots in the Hanover area. Responding police found Nichols walking with a handgun—first near the intersection of Loudon Avenue and Melrose Avenue, and then along railroad tracks bordering the industrial park.
Police ordered Nichols to drop the weapon, and fired multiple shots at him when he continued to refuse.
Investigators later determined that Nichols' weapon was a pellet gun that looked like a semi-automatic handgun.
The State's Attorney's Office investigated the actions of six veteran police officers who fired their weapons plus another veteran officer who was involved in an attempt to disarm Nichols.
"No further action will be taken by this office," Broccolino stated in the memo.
