The police officers who shot and killed an Elkridge teen carrying what police said appeared to be a semi-automatic handgun will not be charged with any crime, the Howard County State's Attorney's Office said Tuesday.
"We have reviewed the investigative reports … and conducted our own investigation and have concluded the actions of the officers in using deadly force were justified," State's Attorney Dario J. Broccolino said in a statement. "No further action will be taken by this office."
Jeffrey Dustin Nichols, 19, of the 6600 block of Grouse Road, died Nov. 14 at the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore, where had had remained since the Nov. 7 shooting.
Howard County police said they shot Nichols in a Hanover warehouse parking lot after he repeatedly refused to drop the gun, which turned out to be a pellet gun designed to look like a real weapon, according to police spokeswoman Sherry Llewellyn.
Nichols was shot eight times in his torso and extremities. County police policy allows for officers to use deadly force if they feel that a person's actions will lead to death or serious physical injury.
Six county officers were confirmed as firing their weapons: Ofc. Bryce Buell, a 10-year officer; Sgt. Jayson Janowich, a 12-year-officer; Ofc. Brian Klakring, a 5-year officer; Ofc. Joshua Mouton, a 4-year officer; Ofc. Ryan Saulsbury, a 10-year officer; and Ofc. James Zammillo, a 7-year officer.
This was the first police-involved shooting for the Howard County Police Department since November 2008, following an armed robbery at a Clarksville bank.