Eight Baltimore County officers cleared in two fatal police shootings

State attorney general finds no wrongdoing in separate incidents

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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Eight Baltimore County Police officers have been cleared of wrongdoing by the state attorney general in two fatal police shootings that occurred last year in the Baltimore area.

Why it matters

The decisions not to prosecute the officers in these two incidents highlight the ongoing debate around police use of force and accountability, especially in cases involving fatal encounters.

The details

According to the state attorney general's findings, the officers did not break any laws in either shooting. The first incident occurred on April 23 in Arbutus, where two officers fired deadly shots at a man who was pointing a bow and arrow at them. The second incident took place on October 8 in Dundalk, where six officers shot and killed a man who had fired at them during a standoff.

  • The first fatal shooting happened on April 23, 2026 in Arbutus.
  • The second fatal shooting occurred on October 8, 2026 in Dundalk.

The players

Anthony Brown

The Maryland Attorney General who concluded the officers did not break any laws in the two fatal shootings.

Baltimore County Police

The police department that employed the eight officers cleared of wrongdoing in the two fatal shootings.

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The takeaway

These decisions not to prosecute the officers involved in the two fatal shootings underscore the ongoing challenges around police accountability and use of force, issues that continue to be debated at the local and national level.