FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contacts:
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 410-576-7009
BALTIMORE, MD (July 17, 2025) – The Independent Investigations Division (IID) of the Maryland Office of the Attorney General has identified the decedent and the Baltimore Police Department (BPD) officers involved in the police-involved, in-custody death that occurred on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, in the city of Baltimore, Maryland.
The decedent is identified as 31-year-old Dontae Melton, Jr., of Baltimore, Maryland.
The involved officers and their years of service with the BPD – as provided by the Baltimore Police Department - are identified as Sergeant Joshua Jackson, 8 years of service; Officer Andre Smith, 17 years of service; Officer Gerard Pettiford, Jr., 7 years of service; Officer Jacob Dahl, 5 years of service; Officer Kevin Causion, 5 years of service; Officer Ever Cardenas-Huarcaya, 3 years of service; Officer Renardo Spencer, 3 years of service; Officer Jammal Parker, 2 years of service; Officer Darren Hicks, Jr., 2 years of service; and Officer Ryan Stetser with 1 year of service. All officers are assigned to the BPD Operations Bureau.
The IID continues to investigate the circumstances of the police-involved, in-custody death. 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
The officers on scene were equipped with body-worn cameras, which recorded the incident. The IID will generally release body-worn camera footage within 20 business days of an incident. There may be situations where more than 20 business 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
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