Man fatally shot by police responding to apartment fire in Hagerstown, Maryland

A man was fatally shot by police officers in Hagerstown, Maryland, Friday afternoon, according to a press release from the Maryland Attorney General’s Office.

The shooting occurred around 4:50 p.m. on Friday when the Hagerstown Fire Department was responding to an apartment fire in the unit block of Randolph Avenue. Firefighters encountered a man inside the building and called the Hagerstown Police Department for help.

Police established a perimeter around the building upon arrival. The man ran outside toward the officers, who reported issuing verbal commands and deploying tasers before opening fire, according to authorities.

The man was struck by gunfire from the police officer’s service weapons and was taken to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Two knives were recovered from the scene, though it is unclear whether the man was armed at the time of the shooting. No officers were injured in the incident.

The Independent Investigations Division of the Attorney General’s Office is investigating the shooting.

The man’s identity and the names of the officers involved have not been made public.

The officers were wearing body cameras at the time of the shooting, according to the Attorney General’s Office, and footage is generally released within 20 business days.

Additional time may be needed to interview witnesses, protect the identities of civilians captured on video or allow family members to view footage before it is released.

Authorities did not elaborate on what prompted the firefighters to request police backup at the scene or provide a cause for the apartment fire.

Anyone who may have information about the incident, including cellphone video and private surveillance footage, is encouraged to contact the Independent Investigations Division at 410-576-7070 or IID@oag.maryland.gov.