Attorney General Ongoing Investigation Necessitates Delayed Release of Body Camera Footage from January 30th’s Fatal Police-Involved Shooting in Crofton

[Editor]

BALTIMORE, MD (February 14, 2022) – In order to carry out an appropriately thorough investigation and conduct untainted interviews, the Independent Investigations Division (IID) is delaying the release of the body-worn camera footage.

A key component of the IID investigations is witness interviews. While typically we are able to interview relevant witnesses within 14 days so that the video may be released, we cannot always. To ensure witness interviews are not compromised by their viewing of external evidence, the release of the body-worn camera footage from the January 30th shooting will be delayed.

Once the release of the video will not compromise the investigation, the IID will make public the body-worn camera footage on its YouTube channel.

Per the IID protocols, “The IID will generally release body camera footage within 14 days of the incident. There may be situations where more than 14 days is necessary, including if investigators need more time to complete witness interviews, if there are technical delays caused by the need to redact the identities of civilian witnesses, or to allow family members to view the video before it is released to the public.”

To read the original news release, click here.

 

[Editor]

Investigative Report Released for January’s Fatal Officer-Involved Shooting in Crofton

BALTIMORE, MD (October 3, 2022)– The Independent Investigations Division (IID) of the Office of the Attorney General today released its investigative report of the January 30, 2022, fatal officer-involved shooting in Anne Arundel County.

On January 30, at approximately 4:05 a.m., officers with the Anne Arundel County Police Department responded to the 900 block of Danville Court in Crofton after a woman called 911 to report that she was having a dispute with her son, Dyonta Quarles Jr., and he would not let her leave her bedroom. When officers arrived on scene, the 911 caller stated that she could not get to the front door and instructed officers to enter the house. Officers forced entry into the home and proceeded to an upstairs bedroom where the caller and Mr. Quarles were located. Officers gave Mr. Quarles commands to get on the ground. Mr. Quarles initially complied with officers’ commands to get on the ground. A few seconds later, as officers approached him, however, he got up and sat back on the bed.Mr. Quarles then ranout of the bedroom and tackled Officer Jonathan Ricci to the ground, repeatedly punching him in the head. Officerswere able to pull Mr. Quarles off Officer Ricci and hold him on the ground. While officers were attempting to put Mr. Quarles inhandcuffs, Mr. Quarles bit down on Officer Ricci’s fingers and did not let go. Officer Ricci thenunholstered his weapon and shot Mr. Quarles. Mr. Quarles was pronounced dead on the scene.Officer Ricci, who was in and out of consciousness, was taken to a hospital and treated for his injuries.

The IID concluded its investigation on August 24 and forwarded its investigative report to the Anne Arundel County State’s Attorney’s Office on August 30. The Anne Arundel County State’s Attorney’s Office notified the IID on September 7 of its decision not to prosecute the case.

The IID’s report contains detailed investigative findings and an analysis of relevant legal issues. Because the Anne Arundel County State’s Attorney’s Office—not the IID—retains prosecution authority in this case, the report does not make any recommendations as to whether any individual should or should not be charged. A copy of the investigative report can be found here.

By law, the IID’s report must remain confidential until any related prosecution is completed or the State’s Attorney’s Office declines to prosecute. If the local State’s Attorney decides to prosecute the matter, the IID will release the report, with appropriate redactions for confidentiality, within 30 days of a final judgment of all defendants in the case. If the local State’s Attorney declines to prosecute, the IID will release the report, with appropriate redactions for confidentiality, within 30 days of that determination.