The family of a man who was shot and killed by a police officer is seeking justice, claiming that he did not understand English and was unjustly shot. The incident occurred when Montgomery County police responded to reports of an assault in progress and found Melvin Chavez holding what appeared to be a knife. Despite officers yelling at Chavez to drop the knife, he was shot after about 20 seconds of commands. Chavez was pronounced dead at the scene, with a grill fork found near his body.
According to Chavez’s cousin, who witnessed the shooting, Chavez was intoxicated and had a disagreement with some neighbors. Chavez crossed the street to confront the neighbors, ignoring orders to put down the weapon before being shot by an officer. The cousin emphasized that Chavez did not speak English, so he likely did not understand the commands given by the officers.
While the family acknowledges that Chavez’s behavior was not justifiable, they believe that the situation could have been handled differently. They question why a taser was not used instead of lethal force. The Maryland Office of the Attorney General’s Independent Investigation Division is leading the investigation into the shooting, with body-camera footage expected to be released within 20 days. However, the Montgomery County Police Department has not responded to the family’s concerns about the handling of the incident.
The officer involved in the shooting has been placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation. The family is hopeful that the investigation will provide clarity and accountability for the tragic events that unfolded. Stay updated on this developing story by signing up for breaking news alerts from News4.
