Investigation into Police Shooting Continues

The investigation continues into the officer who shot a man in an SUV 10 days ago in Wheaton, Montgomery County police said in a statement released Wednesday.

The officer, Officer Todd Archer, remains on administrative leave during the investigation, as is department protocol, police said.

In the incident, police heard from a caller about 8:20 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 5, who said an unknown SUV was ramming his car. The incident took place at Stoneymill Square shopping center, in the 12200 block of Veirs Mill Road, at the corner of Veirs Mill Road and Randolph Road, police said.

Archer was the first officer to arrive, approached the SUV, a 2003 Cadillac Escalade, police said. Archer discharged his firearm once, shooting the 52-year-old driver once, police said.

Other officers arrived and began life-saving measures; Fire & Rescue services were called.  The Escalade driver was taken to a local hospital with serious, nonlife-threatening injuries, police said.

As part of the investigation, the police department’s Major Crimes detectives have:

• Collected Archer’s department-issued body camera and reviewed the video;
• Collected Archer’s service weapon and duty belt for preservation and analysis;
• Interviewed the person who called 911, who stated that he was in his vehicle and an unknown SUV was ramming his vehicle;
• Obtained statements and body camera video from other officers;
• Canvassed the area for other witnesses and surveillance video;
• Obtained long-range video of the event that was captured on a business’ surveillance system;
• Photographed the scene;
• Towed the Cadillac Escalade, processed it for evidence and then returned it to the family; and
• Interviewed the family of the man who was shot.
• At this time, the information gathered by Major Crimes detectives has been provided to the Howard County State’s Attorney’s Office for review, police said. An established agreement between the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office and the Howard County State’s Attorney’s Office stipulates that when an officer-involved shooting involving injury or death occurs in one county, the other county’s State’s Attorney’s Office will review the event.

The Howard County State’s Attorney’s Office will determine if the Montgomery County police officer acted within the confines of the law.

This remains an ongoing investigation.  As information is confirmed, it will be released to the public, police said.

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