Police Seek Answers In Fatal Officer-Involved Shooting

SILVER SPRING, MD — The Montgomery County Police Department released an update on the fatal officer-involved shooting that occurred in Silver Spring June 11.

Robert Lawrence White, 41, was shot and killed at about 2:15 p.m. in the 9200 block of Three Oaks Dr. 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.

In Tuesday's update, the police department said detectives are continuing to process evidence and conduct interviews with witnesses and others involved in the event.

"Officer Badgujar, through his attorney, declined to be interviewed at this time," the police statement said. "However, upon the completion of the criminal investigation, an internal administrative investigation will begin. The officer will be compelled to provide information to the Department for the internal investigation."

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More information included in the update is as follows:

• Montgomery County Police investigators and representatives from the Howard County State’s Attorney’s Office are scheduled to meet on Monday, June 25, as part of the investigation of the police-involved shooting. The release of the body-worn camera video will be discussed at this meeting.
• As evidence is collected, it continues to be turned over to the Howard County State’s Attorney. This includes two videos from police body-worn cameras and a statement from an eyewitness to the shooting. Autopsy results from the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, to include toxicology and injuries to the decedent, are pending and will be shared with the Howard County State’s Attorney’s Office.

Police said they are still investigating what initially drew the Badgujar's attention to White, and what the basis was for Badgujar trying to stop White.

A previous police statement said Badgujar came across White in the neighborhood and began investigating him as a suspicious person, police said.

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."

"There have been a number of questions received from the community and the media regarding the training that officers receive on dealing with individuals experiencing mental health issues and/or with cognitive disabilities," Tuesday's statement said. "During the police training academy officers receive the following training:

• An eight-hour block of instruction on Mental Health First Aid.
• De-escalation techniques.
• Effective communication strategies.
• Implicit bias.
• Scenario-based Conflict Management training that emphasizes creating distance between the officer and a potential threat."

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

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