Maryland authorities have decided not to file criminal charges against four officers involved in the fatal shooting of Alex LaMorie, a 25-year-old autistic man who called police for assistance after being targeted in an extortion scam. The Maryland Office of the Attorney General’s Independent Investigations Division announced the decision Tuesday, concluding there was insufficient evidence to prove the officers committed a crime under state law.

LaMorie was shot in March at Patuxent Commons, an inclusive housing community where he had recently moved. According to the investigative report, LaMorie refused repeated commands to drop a knife and advanced toward officers within 12 to 16 feet before they discharged their weapons. Body-camera footage showed he did not raise the knife to point it at the officers. Maryland State Police recovered 12 shell casings at the scene.

The incident began late on February 28, when LaMorie contacted police to report blackmail through social media involving a person claiming false identities and demanding a $100 gift card. Initial responding officers, including Police Officer First Class Joseph Riebau and a trainee, arrived at LaMorie’s apartment to initiate an emergency evaluation for a possible mental health crisis. When officers entered the unit, LaMorie was not present, prompting a search that found him in the parking lot.

Riebau radioed dispatch that LaMorie was approaching with a knife. Officers Joel Rodriguez and Cody Bostic, who were also on site, joined the scene. According to the report, LaMorie expressed suicidal thoughts, telling officers he “did not want to live anymore” and inviting them to “go ahead” with whatever action they intended. Despite officers’ commands to drop the knife, he continued moving toward them. Calls among officers questioning the availability of less-lethal options such as Tasers were noted in the report, but Rodriguez did not have a Taser.

After LaMorie continued advancing, three officers—Riebau, Rodriguez, and Bostic—fired multiple shots. The officer trainee did not discharge his weapon. Paramedics attempted resuscitation, but LaMorie was pronounced dead shortly after midnight. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner ruled his death a homicide on May 2.

Community advocates and LaMorie’s family have criticized the officers’ actions, arguing that nonlethal methods should have been employed given LaMorie’s disability and mental health situation. Jill Harrington, his mother, called the decision not to prosecute “a step backward” that undermines efforts to develop more humane crisis response approaches. She urged for charges of involuntary manslaughter and highlighted the absence of alternative tools like pepper spray at the scene.

In response to the shooting, Howard County officials announced steps to enhance police crisis response, including purchasing 200 Tasers, expanding officer liaison programs, and launching a Task Force on Disability Inclusion, Safety, and Crisis Response, which includes Harrington as a member. Howard County Police stated officers are issued pepper spray, though it was unclear whether it was available during the incident.

Efforts to reach the involved officers for comment were unsuccessful. Howard County Police said the three officers who fired their weapons remain on administrative duty. The Attorney General’s office declined further comment regarding officers’ equipment.

LaMorie was known for his advocacy within the autistic community, serving on the advisory board of the Autism & Grief Project. He had recently earned an associate degree from the University of Maryland Global Campus. Meanwhile, an investigation into the alleged extortion scheme that precipitated the incident is ongoing.