No Charges Against Officer in Silver Spring Shooting
This is where Robert White lived on Dearborn Avenue, Silver Spring.
No charges will be placed against Officer Anand Badgujar, who shot and killed Robert White on June 11, according to a statement from the Howard County State’s Attorney’s Office.
Based on a review of evidence and a review of the law, the Howard prosecutor determined that Badgujar’s actions were justified under the circumstances, a Montgomery County police statement said.
Assistant Chief Marcus Jones and Major Crimes Capt. Michael Wahl are meeting with Robert White’s family members in North Carolina today, police said.
Montgomery County police expects that footage from Badgujar’s body camera footage and the backup officer will be released to the public later this week.
Because of an agreement between the two counties, Howard County prosecutors investigate officer-involved shootings in Montgomery County and vice versa.
The shooting occurred June 11, in the 9200 block of Three Oaks Drive, in Silver Spring. Badgujar was in the neighborhood for another call. The day after the shooting Montgomery police provided this sequence of events, based on the body camera footage and eyewitness accounts:
- White became combative after Badgujar tried to speak with him. White then assaulted Badgujar.
- Badgujar tried to use pepper spray on White.
- Over the course of the next minute, the officer requested assistance and kept White in his sight.
- As White walked on Three Oaks Drive away from the officer, the officer went to his cruiser to turn off the ignition.
- At this point White turned around and began approaching the officer. As he got closer, he began running at Badgujar; the officer back-pedaled, and White knocked him down as the officer discharged his weapon.
- White fell, got up, stood over the officer who was still on the ground, and continued to assault the officer, at which time the officer fired other rounds. Police were not specific about how Badgujar was assaulted. Capt. Paul Starks said White used his hands and body to assault the officer.
- White fell and was secured. Other responding officers provided medical assistance to him until Fire and Rescue personnel arrived.
A July 27 letter from Howard County’s State’s Attorney Dario J. Broccolino said two of his office’s senior prosecutors reviewed available witness statements, witness interviews, and crime-scene photographs, including the photographs and video taken by witnesses at the scene of the shooting.
The investigation included interviews with detectives, officers with the education and training divisions of Montgomery and Howard counties police agencies, the letter says.
“After reviewing all of the pertinent evidence and after a thorough review of the law, by myself and the members of our Senior Staff, we have unanimously, concluded that officer Badgujar’s actions were justified under the circumstances. As a result, no further action will be taken by this office,” Broccolino’s letter says.
Badgujar’s attorney, Morgan Blackledge, said the Howard County State’s Attorney’s Office had reached “the right decision.”
“Officer Badgujar believed Robert White might have been armed and he was simply trying to get Robert White to stop so he could talk to him,” she said.
A week after the shooting, Montgomery police said Badgujar had declined to be interviewed. However, Broccolino’s letter says the officer and Blackledge had responded to questions.
Previous Posts:
Police Meet With Howard County Prosecutors to Discuss White Killing
Officer in Shooting of Unarmed Man Declining to Be Interviewed, Police Say
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