Attorney General Anthony G. Brown announced on May 14 that no charges will be filed in the fatal officer-involved shooting that occurred last summer in West Baltimore’s Mosher neighborhood.
On June 25, 2025, at approximately 1:35 p.m., Baltimore Police Department (BPD) officers responded to calls for a welfare check and an attempted stabbing at a home on the 2700 block of Mosher Street.
Upon arrival, officers attempted to make contact with the individual inside the residence, whom they later identified as Pytorcarcha Brooks, 70.
A family member on scene informed responding officers that he believed Brooks was not taking her prescribed medication, and that she had attempted to stab him when he tried to enter the home. The family member also said Brooks used a heavy object to block the back door of the home.
Medics with the Baltimore City Fire Department (BCFD) arrived to assess Brooks and determined she was experiencing a mental health crisis that required further evaluation. When they approached the back door in an attempt to make contact, Brooks reportedly appeared and began yelling obscenities. After determining Brooks lacked the capacity to refuse medical treatment, officers on scene decided to enter the front door to secure Brooks so that BCFD medics could transport her to a hospital.
Inside the residence, an officer encountered Brooks armed with a knife. Despite verbal commands to drop the weapon, Brooks advanced toward the officer. The officer deployed his Taser ineffectively. The officer tripped while attempting to back away from Brooks, leading another officer on scene to discharge his firearm at her.
Officers reportedly rendered medical aid immediately, and Brooks was transported to an area hospital. She was later pronounced deceased.
The Attorney General’s Independent Investigations Division (IID) began investigating the incident that same day. After completing its investigation on May 11 this year, the Office of the Attorney General determined that the subject officers did not commit a crime under Maryland law, and the Attorney General declined to prosecute the subject officers in this case.
