GAITHERSBURG, Md. — Notice: The linked footage in this article contains graphic and violent content that may be distressing for some viewers. Discretion is advised.
Body camera footage made public on Friday reveals a tragic incident involving police and an armed individual at a bus stop in Gaithersburg, which took place on July 12.
The Maryland Attorney General’s Office has confirmed that the victim was identified as Elliott Powers, a 46-year-old resident of Rockville, Maryland.
Officers from the Montgomery County Police Department (MCPD) and the Gaithersburg Police Department (GPD) responded to a call at 6:45 p.m., reporting a man with a weapon in the 9600 block of Lost Knife Road.
Upon arriving at the scene, law enforcement encountered Powers, who was holding what appeared to be a handgun.
The body camera footage commences from Sergeant Christopher Leach’s perspective, a seasoned officer with 14 years of service at the Montgomery County Police Department, as he arrived at the location at 6:59 p.m.
Sgt. Leach is observed approaching Powers at the bus stop, urging him to show his hands. Moments later, Powers appears to reach into his bag, leading Sgt. Leach to shout “no” repeatedly while backing up and aiming his firearm at Powers.
“We got one at gunpoint at the bus stop,” Sgt. Leach reported into his radio. “We have guns aimed toward the shopping center, so please watch for crossfire. We’ve got a gun!”
“Drop the gun!” commanded another officer, as Sgt. Leach took cover behind his police vehicle.
For several agonizing moments, officers continued to plead with Powers to relinquish the weapon, to which he responded, “I’m not dropping nothing.”
As additional units arrived at the scene, Sgt. Leach called for Lost Knife Road and the shopping center entrances to be closed off.
While one officer persisted in urging Powers to drop his weapon, he defiantly replied, “You’re going to have to kill me.”
“I don’t want to do that,” the officer responded.
Powers then instructed the officers to “Shut the f*** up and leave,” but the officer continued to engage him, asking for his name.
Sgt. Leach moved into a new position after another officer indicated their body camera was running low on battery.
After several tense moments, the officers made attempts to de-escalate the situation by re-establishing communication with Powers.
One officer communicated to Powers that they were merely talking, emphasizing his desire for Powers to “see tomorrow.”
At 7:12 p.m., Sgt. Leach abruptly shouted “Aye, aye, aye,” at which point the officers discharged their firearms, striking Powers multiple times.
“His hands are clear,” one officer noted post-shooting. “I have the gun,” another affirmed.
Immediately after the incident, officers began administering aid to Powers while awaiting medical assistance. Unfortunately, he succumbed to his injuries at the scene.
It is important to note that no officers sustained injuries during the incident.
Alongside Sgt. Leach, the other officers present were Officer Michael Wengloski, who has served for 12.5 years; Officer Andrew Hanko, an 8-year veteran; Officer Robert Bullock, who has been with MCPD for 7 years; Officer Noah Whelan, a 5-year veteran; and Officer Carissa Fortin, an 8.5-year veteran of the GPD.
If anyone has information related to this incident, including cell phone or private surveillance footage, please reach out to the Attorney General’s Office at 410-576-7070 or via email at IID@oag.maryland.gov.
