Cop Won't Be Charged For Fatal Shooting Of Man With Hammer
WESTMINSTER, Md. (AP) -- The Carroll County State's Attorney say a Taneytown police officer who shot and killed a man who wielded a large hammer and ran at police will not be charged.
Jerry Barnes said Thursday that an independent review of the Christmas Day incident found that Officer Steven Sakadales' use of deadly force was justified and lawful.
The Carroll County Times reports that authorities say Sakadales was one of three officers who went to Edward Becker Jr.'s home after his parents called 911.
Officers say Becker, 26, was holding a framing hammer and charged directly at one of them.
Police say Becker was shot after refusing to heed repeated commands to drop the hammer.
Sakadales was put on administrative leave after the shooting. He returned to regular duty in February.
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