STATEMENT FROM STATE’S ATTORNEY CHARLIE SMITH ON FEBRUARY 11TH, 2022 FREDERICK POLICE-INVOLVED SHOOTING

“The State’s Attorney’s Office has reviewed the body-worn camera footage, witness statements, and the physical evidence collected from last Friday’s police-involved shooting.  After reviewing all evidence and consulting with the investigators from the Maryland State Police assigned to this incident, my office has concluded that the use of deadly force by Officers Kristen Kowalsky and Bryan Snyder against Dominique Lamar Lewis was necessary and proportional.  Therefore, it was legally justified under Maryland law and the standard put forth by the United States Supreme Court in Graham v. Connor.   As a result, no charges will be placed against the officers.

 

As Dominique Lewis has pending criminal charges against him including the attempted 1st-degree murder of two law enforcement officers, we are unable to release the videos or provide further comment at this time.  As done in previous police-involved shootings, a full declination report detailing the evidence and the decision-making process as it relates to the use of force will be released by our office upon the conclusion of the criminal case.  Given the specific facts of this case, the decision to not release the videos is compelled by the rules of ethics, specifically Rule 19-303.8, which details the special responsibilities of a prosecutor as it relates to extrajudicial statements concerning pending criminal matters.

 

Mr. Lewis is expected to have a bond review in the Frederick County District Court upon his release from the hospital.”

 

 

 – J. Charles Smith III

State’s Attorney