FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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BALTIMORE, MD – Today, Attorney General Anthony G. Brown announced his decision not to seek charges in the Tuesday, January 20, 2026 fatal police-involved shooting that occurred in the City of Baltimore, Maryland.
On January 20, 2026, at approximately 9:14 p.m., officers with the Baltimore Police Department (BPD) responded to a residence in the 6800 block of Bank Street following a 911 call reporting that an individual was being threatened by a man armed with a handgun. The caller identified the individual as Jamarl Muse and stated that Muse was armed with a .357 caliber revolver. Muse was described as a Black male wearing black jeans and a face mask and was reportedly leaving the area on a white bicycle. A responding officer in a marked patrol vehicle observed an individual matching the description in the 6500 block of Eastern Avenue. The officer activated his emergency lights and sirens in an attempt to stop the individual; however, Muse failed to comply and fled. Muse attempted to evade officers by traveling through parking lots and onto a nearby on-ramp for Interstate 95. Officers, including Sergeant Carlos Arias and Officer Edwin Ruiz, exited their vehicles and pursued Muse on foot. The first responding officer to reach Muse took him to the ground, where a struggle ensued as officers attempted to gain control. During the struggle, Muse produced a handgun from his clothing and discharged it. Officers immediately disengaged to create distance. At that time, Sergeant Arias and Officer Ruiz discharged their service weapons, striking Muse. Officers rendered emergency medical aid until emergency medical services (EMS) arrived. Muse was pronounced dead at the scene. A handgun was recovered near Muse. No officers were injured during the incident.
The Attorney General’s Independent Investigations Division (IID) began investigating the fatal police-involved shooting on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, and concluded its investigation on Tuesday, April 7, 2026. After completing its investigation and evaluating all the available evidence, the Office of the Attorney General has determined that the subject officers did not commit a crime under Maryland law. Accordingly, the Attorney General has declined to prosecute the subject officers in this case.
A copy of the IID’s detailed investigative findings and analysis of relevant legal issues can be found in its declination report.
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