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Investigators ID Man Holding Grill Fork Killed During Officer-Involved Maryland Shooting

The Independent Investigations Division (IID) has identified the griller and veteran police corporal implicated in the officer-involved shooting in Montgomery County over the weekend, according to the Maryland Attorney General's Office.

The man was killed in an officer-involved shooting while holding a grill fork.

The man was killed in an officer-involved shooting while holding a grill fork.

Photo Credit: Openverse/appleswitch

At approximately 7:45 p.m. on Saturday night, officers were called to the 3400 block of Janet Road in Wheaton after there was an emergency call placed about an assault in progress.

Upon arrival, members of the Montgomery County Department of Police spotted a man, identified as 31-year-old Wheaton resident Melvin Omar Chavez-Paz in a yard holding an object in his right hand.

Officers demanded that the man "drop the knife;" however, Chavez-Paz did not comply, and instead, began crossing the street, prompting one to discharge his service weapon. 

The IID named Montgomery County Police Cpl. Cody Hobbs, a 12-year veteran assigned to the Patrol Services Bureau

The officers immediately rendered emergency aid and called for paramedics, who pronounced dead at the scene next to a grill fork that was recovered near his body.

No other injuries were reported.

Body-worn camera footage footage is expected to be released as the investigation continues.

Check Daily Voice for updates.

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