Officer Cleared In Deadly Shooting Of Man In Silver Spring

SILVER SPRING, MD — A Montgomery County Police officer who shot and killed a man in Silver Spring last month will not face charges, prosecutors said. The Howard County state’s attorney’s office said that Officer Anand Badgujar was cleared in the shooting that killed Robert White, 41.

White was shot and killed at about 2:15 p.m. June 11 in the 9200 block of Three Oaks Drive after he ran at the officer, and both men fell down. Authorities say White got up, punched the officer several times and Badgujar fired several shots.

"The officer encountered an African American man in that area and attempted to speak with him, but the man became combative and a physical altercation occurred," a police statement after the shooting said.

The Montgomery County State's Attorney's Office and the Howard County State's Attorney's Office have an agreement 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.

Prosecutors reviewed the video footage of the incident, all available witness statements and interviews, crime scene photos and more, Dario J. Broccolino, the State's Attorney for Howard County, said in a statement.

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"After reviewing all of the pertinent evidence and after a thorough review of the law, by myself and the members of our senior sStaff, we have, unanimously, concluded that Officer Badgujar's actions were justified under the circumstances," Broccolino said. "As a result, no further action will be taken by this office."

Badgujar came across White in the neighborhood and began investigating him as a suspicious person, police said. Evidence shows Badgujar attempted to speak to White, but he became combative and assaulted him. Badgujar then attempted to pepper spray White.

As White walked on Three Oaks Drive away from Badgujar, the officer went to his cruiser to turn off the ignition. At this point White began approaching Badgujar and as he got closer, began running at Badgujar, police said.

Badgujar back-pedaled, and White knocked him down as Badgujar discharged his weapon.

White fell, got up, stood over Badgujar who was still on the ground, and continued to assault him, police said. At this time Badgujar fired additional rounds.

"The man was yelling at the police officer, 'stop following me, stop following me,'" Ella Robinson, 15, told ABC7. "They kept walking and the man kind of attacked the police officer and was punching him on the ground, and then we all heard the shots go off."

The shooting has sparked anger around the community. About 100 protesters met in downtown Silver Spring after the event.

"When an unarmed man gets shot, it makes me concerned," Ilhan Cagri, a neighbor of White who attended the protest, told Bethesda Magazine. "Whenever an unarmed black man gets shot, I'm even more concerned."

Montgomery County Councilmember and Chair of the Public Safety Committee Marc Elrich released a statement after the incident.

"This has to warrant the highest level of attention and thoroughness in the investigation and I expect the camera footage to be released as soon as practical, given the investigation," Elrich said. "The family has every right to expect access to every bit of information available as soon as possible and they should expect an outcome where justice is served."

The Montgomery County Police Department anticipates that the body-worn camera footage from Officer Badgujar and the backup officer will be released to the public later this week, a police statement said.

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