Stabbing Suspect Killed By Police Chief Identified

RIVERDALE, MD — The Cheverly police chief has been placed on leave while the Independent Investigations Division of the Maryland Office of the Attorney General looks into his fatal shooting of a stabbing suspect Tuesday in Riverdale.

The preliminary investigation revealed that on Sept. 30 around 4:55 p.m., Cheverly Police Department officers were called to the 6600 block of Greenland Street in Riverdale to investigate a stabbing that had happened earlier in Cheverly. Prince George’s County Police Department officers arrived as well, and officers from both agencies encountered a man carrying two knives, police said.

The man approached the officers, who issued ordered him to drop the knife multiple timse, but the man did not comply. A PGPD officer deployed a taser, but it was ineffective.

Cheverly Police Chief David Morris fired his gun, hitting the suspect. Officers provided emergency medical aid until EMS units arrived. The man has been identified by authorities as Tesfa Leith, 45. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Two knives were recovered from the scene.

No officers were injured during the incident, according to the IID.

Morris is on restricted duty status pending the outcome of the investigation. Deputy Chief Jennifer Krauss will assume the role of acting chief of the Cheverly Police Department, authorities noted. Morris is a 2-year veteran of the department with 38 years of prior service.

Pursuant to Maryland law, the IID does not generally have the authority to investigate fatal incidents involving police chiefs. The Office of the State's Attorney for Prince George's County had jurisdiction over the investigation of the involved police chief. On Sept. 30, citing independence and public confidence, the Office of the State's Attorney for Prince George's County referred the case to the IID.

The IID will generally release the name of the decedent and discharging officer within two business days of the incident, although that period may be extended. Some officers on scene were equipped with body-worn cameras that recorded the incident.

State investigators will generally release body-worn camera 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.