Overview
- A Bel Air police officer shot a 57-year-old man during a traffic stop that escalated into a physical altercation on Aug. 15, and the man later died at Shock Trauma.
- The Independent Investigations Division identified the officer as Christopher Birch, who joined the Bel Air force two months ago, has three years of law enforcement experience, and is on administrative leave during the IID probe.
- Bystander video obtained by WBAL shows a man running from behind parked cars and an officer who appears to fire, though much of the footage is obscured and officials say more context is needed.
- Family members say the victim, identified as Francisco Aparicio-Munoz, was unarmed and fled because he feared immigration agents, a claim that conflicts with investigators’ account of a physical fight that injured the officer.
- The IID confirmed the officer wore a body camera and said footage is typically released within 20 business days while investigators are asking the public for any phone or surveillance video that could help determine whether the use of deadly force was justified.