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Howard County Seeks Early Body-Cam Release, Plans Less-Lethal Expansion in Police Killing of Autistic Man

Police say Alexander Lamorie had reported an online extortion attempt earlier in the day, sharpening scrutiny of how the encounter escalated.

Overview

  • Howard County Police Chief Gregory Der said he asked the Maryland Attorney General’s Independent Investigations Division to release body-worn camera video before the typical 20-day timeline.
  • County Executive Calvin Ball said the county will expand access to less-lethal options, including purchasing additional Tasers, to provide officers with more alternatives.
  • Police said officers encountered Lamorie outside his Columbia apartment holding a knife and that three officers fired after he refused to drop it, resulting in his death at the scene.
  • Police reported that about 80% of officers hold Crisis Intervention Team certification; two officers involved had completed CIT training and the third is a trained negotiator.
  • In addition to the state investigation, Howard County police are pursuing the extortion complaint Lamorie initially reported, and his family said they were notified shortly before Thursday’s briefing.