Man Shot By Police In Silver Spring Was A 'Gentle Soul': Report

SILVER SPRING, MD — The Silver Spring man shot and killed by a Montgomery County Police Officer was a "gentle soul," a neighbor told Montgomery Community Media.

Robert Lawrence White, 41, was killed on Monday afternoon. The officer who shot him was Officer Anand Badgujar, who has been with the Montgomery County Police Department for about two years.

"The officer encountered an African American man in that area and attempted to speak with him, but the man became combative and a physical altercation occurred," a police statement after the shooting said.

White's neighbor on Dearborn Avenue, Quentin Nardi, told Montgomery Community Media that White suffered from mental health issues. He often went on walks to help manage his illness.

“He was a gentle soul. He was a lovely man,” Nardi said.

The shooting occurred at about 2:15 p.m. in the 9200 block of Three Oaks Dr. Badgujar came across White in the neighborhood and began investigating him as a suspicious person, police said.

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Evidence shows Badgujar attempted to speak to White, but he became combative and assaulted him. Badgujar then attempted to pepper spray White.

As White walked on Three Oaks Drive away from Badgujar, the officer went to his cruiser to turn off the ignition. At this point White began approaching Badgujar and as he got closer, began running at Badgujar, police said.

Badgujar back-pedaled, and White knocked him down as Badgujar discharged his weapon.

White fell, got up, stood over Badgujar who was still on the ground, and continued to assault him, police said. At this time Badgujar fired additional rounds.

"The man was yelling at the police officer, 'stop following me, stop following me,'" Ella Robinson, 15, told ABC7. "They kept walking and the man kind of attacked the police officer and was punching him on the ground, and then we all heard the shots go off."

Badgujar is assigned to the Patrol Division and works in the 3rd District, police said. He has been placed on paid Administrative Leave.

The shooting has sparked anger around the community. About 100 protesters met in downtown Silver Spring Tuesday afternoon.

“When an unarmed man gets shot, it makes me concerned,” Ilhan Cagri, a neighbor of White who attended the protest, told Bethesda Magazine. “Whenever an unarmed black man gets shot, I’m even more concerned.”

Montgomery County Councilmember and Chair of the Public Safety Committee Marc Elrich released a statement after the incident.

"This has to warrant the highest level of attention and thoroughness in the investigation and I expect the camera footage to be released as soon as practical, given the investigation," Elrich said. "The family has every right to expect access to every bit of information available as soon as possible and they should expect an outcome where justice is served."

There is body camera footage of the incident, but it has not been released to the public.

“How many times do we hear of white people and officers saying that black people look suspicious for simply existing in public spaces?” Tracye Redd of Black Lives Matter DC said to Bethesda Magazine.

This shooting remains under investigation. Anyone with information regarding this shooting is asked to contact the Major Crimes Division at 240-773-5070. Callers may remain anonymous.

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