FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contacts
[email protected]
410-576-7009
BALTIMORE, MD – The Independent Investigations Division (IID) of the Maryland Office of the Attorney General has identified the decedent and the Bel Air Police Department (BAPD) officer involved in the fatal police-involved shooting that occurred on Saturday, August 15, 2026, in Bel Air, Harford County, Maryland.
The decedent is identified as 57-year-old Francisco Aparicio-Munoz, who resided in Bel Air, Maryland.
The involved BAPD officer is identified as Officer Christopher Birch. Officer Birch has 2 months of BAPD service and 3 years of law enforcement experience and is currently assigned to the Uniform Patrol Division.
The IID continues to investigate the circumstances of this fatal police-involved shooting. Anyone with information about this incident, including cell phone or private surveillance video, is asked to contact the IID at (410) 576-7070 or by email at [email protected].
The officer had a body-worn camera. There also is private cell phone video from the incident. The IID will generally release body-worn video footage within 20 business days of an incident. There may be situations where more than 20 days is necessary, including if investigators need more time to complete witness interviews, if there are technical delays caused by the need to shield the identities of civilian witnesses, or to allow family members to view the video before it is released to the public.
To read the original news release, click here: https://oag.maryland.gov/News/Pages/Independent-Investigations-Division-Investigating-Fatal-Police-Involved-Shooting-in-Bel-Air.aspx
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