Police: Sheriff’s Deputy Shoots, Kills Laytonsville Man Who Was ‘Driving Erratically’

A Laytonsville man was shot and killed by a Montgomery County Sheriff’s deputy Saturday, according to a Montgomery County Police Department (MCPD) statement.

Police say several 911 calls were received around 8:01 a.m. Saturday morning to report collisions in the 6000 block of MD-108, or Olney Laytonsville Road, between Riggs and Fieldcrest Roads. Callers said someone was “driving and acting erratically,” according to the statement, and struck multiple cars. Police said a Sheriff’s deputy, whose identity has not been revealed, was in the area at the time and was the first at the scene.

MCPD said the deputy encountered Kevin Costlow, 52, of Laytonsville, in the MD-108 and Fieldcrest Road area. Video of the encounter posted to YouTube shows Costlow walking toward the deputy with a long, wooden stick as the deputy retreats with his gun drawn and pointed at Costlow. Costlow can be seen raising and slamming down the stick twice in an attempt to strike the deputy. The deputy begins shooting and 12 gunshots are heard before Costlow falls to the ground. According to MCPD, Costlow struck the deputy in the head and neck area. Additional arriving officers and fire/rescue personnel attempted to save his life, however Costlow was pronounced deceased at the scene, police said. The deputy was taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

During a press conference Saturday, Sheriff Darren Popkin said Costlow was “driving erratically” before the encounter and said deputies do wear body cameras, but that he did not know if the camera was activated during the shooting. Police Chief Marcus Jones said Costlow’s driving caused two collisions, and there are possibly two people in addition to the deputy who were injured. Jones said he doesn’t think they were taken to the hospital.

MCPD asks anyone with relevant information to contact the Major Crimes Division at 240-773-5070, and callers may be anonymous.

The following video is graphic. It depicts a Sheriff’s deputy shooting a man. Audio of gunshots only is included. Viewer discretion is advised.

About Maryam Shahzad

Maryam is a reporter with Montgomery Community Media. She graduated from the University of Maryland in 2019 with a bachelor's degree in broadcast journalism. Previously, she was an intern with MCM. She can be reached at mshahzad@mymcmedia.org or on Twitter @maryam_mcm.

View all posts by Maryam Shahzad