News Releases

Update to November 5 Officer-Involved Shooting

For Immediate Release: Tuesday, January 9, 2018

The Montgomery County Police Department (MCPD) continues to investigate the officer-involved shooting that occurred on Sunday, November 5 at the Stoneymill Square shopping center located in the 12200 block of Veirs Mill Road (at the corner of Veirs Mill Road and Randolph Road.  On that night at approximately 8:20 p.m., the Emergency Communications Center (911) received a call for an assault in progress at the shopping center.  The caller stated that he was in his vehicle and an unknown SUV was ramming his vehicle.  Officer Todd Archer, the first officer to respond to the location, discharged his firearm one time.  The adult male driver of the SUV was shot.  The male was transported to a local hospital with serious, non-life-threatening injuries.

MCPD – Major Crimes detectives investigated this shooting.  Please refer to prior press releases (listed below) for investigative steps previously released. Detectives reviewed Officer Archer’s body-worn camera footage.  It appears from the video that Officer Archer used his firearm to attempt to break the driver’s window glass of the SUV.  During this attempt, the gun discharged.  Based on the camera footage it appears that the shooting was accidental and that the officer did not intend for the weapon to discharge.

The detectives completed their investigation and information that they had gathered, to include witness statements and Officer Archer’s body-worn camera footage, was provided to the Howard County State’s Attorney’s Office.  Following an established agreement, the Howard County State’s Attorney’s Office then reviewed evidence and information to determine if Officer Archer acted within the confines of the law or if the shooting would be brought before a Montgomery County grand jury.

On December 18, 2017, the Howard County State’s Attorney’s Office completed their examination of the MCPD officer-involved shooting.  The Howard County State’s Attorney’s Office concluded that, “Officer Archer’s actions do not rise to the level of recklessness needed to pursue any criminal charges” and that, “no further action will be taken by the Howard County State’s Attorney in this case.”

With this determination made by the Howard County State’s Attorney’s Office, the criminal investigation was concluded.  The Police Department’s administrative investigation conducted by MCP’s Internal Affairs Division then began and is ongoing.  Questions remain as to why a firearm was used to attempt to break the glass and why the firearm discharged.

Officer Archer remains on paid, administrative leave.

The male who was shot, whose identity will not be released by the Department following protocol that the name of living witnesses and/or victims will not be released, will not face any criminal charges regarding the assault that occurred that evening.

The Department continues to communicate with the male who was shot, his family, and their representatives. The Department is arranging for them to view the body-worn camera footage.

An update will be provided to the public when the Department’s administrative investigation has concluded.

Previous Releases:

MCP Investigates Officer-Involved Shooting (11/6/17)

Update: Detectives Continue to Investigate Officer-Involved Shooting; Identity of Officer Released (11/6/17)

Update to Officer-Involved Shooting Investigation (11/15/17)

Officer-Involved Shooting Investigation Update (12/5/17)

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Release ID: 18-013
Media Contact: mcpnews 
Categories: shooting