FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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BALTIMORE, MD – Today, Attorney General Anthony G. Brown announced his decision not to seek charges in the July 1, 2026 police-involved in-custody death that occurred in Greenbelt, Prince George’s County, Maryland. An investigation by the Office of the Attorney General found that the subject officer did not commit a crime under Maryland law.
On Wednesday, July 1, 2026, at approximately 9:59 p.m., an officer with the United States Park Police (USPP) stopped at a red light on the off‑ramp of Exit 193 from Maryland Highway 295 (the Baltimore–Washington Parkway) at Southway. While waiting for the light to change, the officer observed a car exit the highway at a high rate of speed. The car crossed a grass median and continued across Southway into a heavily wooded area. The USPP officer reported the crash by radio to USPP and the Greenbelt Police Department (GPD), requested GPD assistance, and asked for emergency medical services (EMS) to respond. The USPP officer then entered the wooded area to locate the vehicle.
The vehicle was found in the wooded area. USPP officers located an infant in the back seat of the car. The driver was identified as Michael MacDougall. Because of his appearance and behavior, officers believed that MacDougall was under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Officers could not obtain information from MacDougall because he was unable to provide coherent responses. One USPP officer retrieved the infant while another ordered MacDougall to get out of the car. MacDougall complied and was placed in handcuffs.
Officers escorted MacDougall out of the woods to the sidewalk, where he was seated and later placed on his side. GPD Officer Tyler Fahey arrived after MacDougall was removed from the car. While waiting for EMS, GPD Officer Fahey assisted USPP officers in keeping MacDougall on his side in a recovery position. MacDougall continued to move and kick on the ground, and officers determined that leg restraints were necessary for his and their safety. Officer Fahey retrieved the restraints from his cruiser, returned to the scene, and applied them.
Officers discussed whether to sit MacDougall up and determined it was better to have him on his side in recovery position while they waited for EMS to arrive. At approximately 10:07 p.m., MacDougall became unresponsive. Officers administered medical aid, removed the handcuffs, and signaled for EMS personnel, who had arrived on scene. MacDougall was transported to a local hospital, where he was later pronounced deceased. No officers were injured during the incident.
The Medical Examiner’s findings were an important part of the IID’s analysis. As detailed in the declination report, the Medical Examiner determined that MacDougall’s death was an “Accident” and resulted from “Combined effects of Methadone and Amphetamine.” The Medical Examiner further determined that “the restraint applied by law enforcement was not contributory towards his death.”
The Attorney General’s Independent Investigations Division (IID) began investigating this police-involved in-custody death on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, and concluded its investigation on September 24, 2026. Under Maryland law, the IID has the authority to investigate Maryland police officers involved in incidents that result in the death of an individual or in injuries likely to result in the death of an individual. The IID’s investigation in this matter addressed only the conduct of the GPD officer.
After completing its investigation and evaluating all the available evidence, the Office of the Attorney General has determined that the GPD officer did not commit a crime under Maryland law. Accordingly, the Attorney General has declined to prosecute the GPD officer 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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