FREDERICK, Md. — Body-worn camera footage of a recent deadly police involved shooting in Frederick was released Thursday.
The incident happened March 4 inside an apartment in the 1500 block of N. East Street.
Police were initially called to the location after being tipped off by a neighbor that Joseph Sherrill, 44, was there.
According to the Maryland Attorney General's Office, Sherrill had an open warrant for violating probation. He'd been convicted of fourth degree burglary back in 2019 and allegedly violated the terms of his probation in February during an alleged domestic assault.
The video starts with officers and Sherrill's ex-wife speaking at the front door.
Police ask whether Sherrill is inside, for which his ex-wife denies.
She tells police about a previous protective order against Sherrill, and suggests he's at a local hotel "running around" with another girl.
One officer repeatedly asks her for permission to search the home. She declines multiple times, citing distrust of the police.
Only under the threat of being arrested for lying, does she finally allow officers inside.
They eventually find Sherrill hiding inside a bedroom closet with a knife.
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When ordered to drop the weapon, Sherrill refuses saying "you're gonna have to shoot me," forcing officers to retreat into the living room.
Things quickly turn chaotic as the ex-wife attempts getting in-between the officers and Sherrill . There's also a frightened dog seen pacing around the home.
A second camera angle shows Sherrill entering the hallway, shouting "I'm not going to jail."
With knife-in-hand, Sherrill makes his way around the corner and rapidly into the living room.
Officers Robert Hess and Fahad Mirza react by firing their gun a total of seven times, killing Sherrill.
A toxicology report revealed Sherrill had fentanyl and amphetamine in his system at the time of his death.
Although the Frederick County State's Attorney's Office already declined to charge the officers involved, the Maryland Attorney General's Office issued their own investigative report.
In it they conclude "any less lethal response by these officers would likely not be sufficient to counter the level of immediate deadly force presented by Mr. Sherrill."
To view the body-worn camera video, clickhere. Be warned, it is graphic.
