A man was shot and killed by a sheriff’s deputy this morning in Gaithersburg after allegedly waving a large knife at the deputy. The incident occurred around 9:20AM on Garth Terrace off of Watkins Mill Road and Travis Lane. According to a report by NBC Washington, members of the Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force, which included Montgomery County sheriff’s deputies, were attempting to serve a warrant to the individual before he was shot. The warrant was for failing to appear in court for charges involving a 2020 home invasion.
A bystander that was at the scene attempting to help defuse the situation was also shot in the leg and suffered superficial wounds. The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office said the man killed was 35 years old and his identity has not yet been released. The FBI is currently handling the investigation due to the involvement of U.S. Marshals. According to the report, Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force officers do not wear body cameras.
Sheriff Darren Popkin said the man was running after the officers at full speed. “The suspect came out of that window brandishing the knife and was coming right toward the sheriff’s deputy and others. They tried to retreat and they tried to make space. That’s what they are taught in training, is to try to make space and time, but unfortunately that distance was closing quickly. They tried to use a Taser. That didn’t work”, said Popkin.