MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. (7News) — Police officers from Montgomery County and Gaithersburg fatally shot an armed man at a bus stop in Montgomery Village Sunday evening after a lengthy confrontation in which the man allegedly refused commands to drop his weapon and pointed it at an officer, according to information from sources and police.
The shooting occurred near the Montgomery Village Plaza shopping center on Lost Knife Road, where more than a dozen police vehicles responded to the scene.
Witness Eric Mejia said he arrived as officers were taking cover behind their vehicles.
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“When we pulled up, sirens were going off and police were barricaded behind their vehicles, taking cover,” Mejia said. “Less than five minutes later, about 10 to 12 shots rang off.”
Video recorded by another witness captured the sound of a final gunshot and the immediate aftermath as officers and emergency personnel rendered aid to the man.
“We saw paramedics giving him CPR, trying to revive him,” Mejia said.
On Monday, a cleanup crew worked at the scene, where shattered glass and multiple bullet holes were visible in the bus shelter. Sources familiar with the investigation said officers fired about 20 rounds during the encounter.
According to those sources, the incident began when a bus driver spotted a man at the shelter handling a handgun and appearing to load it. Police responded and spent nearly 10 minutes attempting to negotiate with him, sources said.
Authorities said the man refused repeated commands to drop the weapon and told officers they would have to shoot him. The confrontation ended when the man pointed the gun at an officer, prompting both Montgomery County and Gaithersburg officers to open fire, according to sources familiar with the investigation.
Montgomery County police are investigating an officer-involved shooting in the 9600 block of Lost Knife Road on July 12, 2026..(7News)
“The suspect took actions which forced the officers to discharge their service weapons, fatally wounding and killing the man involved,” Montgomery County police Capt. Cody Fields said. “A handgun was recovered on the scene.”
Police have not released the man’s identity. Sources familiar with the investigation said he had a history of mental health issues and previous contacts with law enforcement.
Residents expressed concern about violence in the area following the shooting.
“It’s horrible for the community,” Mejia said. “There is a lot of criminal activity in this area, so it’s a concern. It’s a concern for the public. It’s a concern for the safety of everyone. It’s been a problem for years around this area.”
Another resident, who declined to give her name, said the community needs change.
“The violence needs to stop,” she said. “People need to stop hanging out outside to make it a safe place in Montgomery Village.”
The shooting, in accordance with Maryland law, is being investigated by the Independent Investigations Division of the Maryland Attorney General’s Office. The incident was captured on police body cameras, and the video is usually released in about 14 days. The names of the involved officers and the deceased man are expected to be released on Tuesday.
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