Police Chief's Actions Ruled Legally Justified, In Self-Defense in September
Police Chief's Actions Ruled Legally Justified, In Self-Defense in September Officer-Involved Shooting
Today, (March 6, 2026), the Maryland Office of the Attorney General's Independent Investigations Division (IID) released its report in connection to a September 30, 2025, fatal officer-involved shooting in Riverdale, Maryland. The report shows the IID chose not to charge Cheverly Police Chief David Morris after a suspect, Tesfa Leith, advanced toward the chief while holding two knives, despite repeated commands from multiple officers to drop the weapons.
Additionally, a third-party investigation conducted by the Carroll County (MD) Sheriff's Office also deemed the shooting justified with no department policy violation.
This was the first officer-involved shooting of Chief Morris' 40-year law enforcement career.