FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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BALTIMORE, MD – Today, Attorney General Anthony G. Brown announced his decision not to seek charges in the Wednesday, June 25, 2025 fatal police-involved shooting that occurred in the City of Baltimore, Maryland.
On Wednesday, June 25, 2025, at approximately 1:35 p.m., officers with the Baltimore Police Department (BPD) responded to one 911 call requesting a welfare check and a second 911 call for a woman attempting to stab the caller at a home in the 2700 block of Mosher Street in Baltimore, Maryland. Upon arrival, officers attempted to make contact with the individual inside the residence, later identified as Pytorcarcha Brooks. A family member on scene informed responding officers that he believed that Brooks was not taking her prescribed medication, that she had attempted to stab him when he tried to enter the home, and that she had used a heavy object to block the back door of the home. While officers were speaking with this family member, medics with the Baltimore City Fire Department (BCFD) arrived to assess Brooks and determine whether transportation to a hospital for further evaluation was necessary.
Responding personnel determined that Brooks was experiencing a mental health crisis and needed further evaluation. As medics and officers attempted to contact Brooks through the back door of the residence, Brooks appeared, yelled obscenities, and swiped a knife through the partially opened doorway. BCFD medics determined that Brooks lacked the capacity to refuse medical treatment. After discussions among responding personnel, it was decided that BPD officers would enter the residence through the front door in order to secure Brooks so BCFD medics could transport her to a hospital for evaluation and treatment.
Once inside the residence, Officer Stephen Galewski encountered Brooks, who was armed with a knife. Initially, Brooks moved away from the officers. Officer Galewski issued multiple verbal commands directing Brooks to drop the knife. Brooks did not comply and then advanced toward the officer with the knife still in her hand. Officer Galewski deployed his Taser, which struck Brooks. The Taser deployment was ineffective. Brooks stood up and moved toward Officer Galewski while still armed with the knife. As Officer Galewski attempted to retreat, he tripped over a piece of furniture and fell to the ground. Brooks advanced toward Officer Galewski while still holding the knife. Officer Stephen Colbert discharged his firearm, striking Brooks. Officers immediately rendered medical aid until emergency medical services (EMS) personnel assumed care. Brooks was transported to a nearby hospital, where she was later pronounced dead.
The Attorney General’s Independent Investigations Division (IID) began investigating the fatal police-involved shooting on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, and concluded its investigation on May 11, 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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