No charges will be filed against Gaithersburg police officers in the Dec. 24, 2024 police-involved-in-custody death of Marvin Salamanca Garcia, 35. That’s according to a Friday news release from Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown.
The Incident
Officers responded to a 911 call at 10:28 p.m. in which Salamanca Garcia’s roommate reported that he couldn’t enter his apartment due to a disturbance in the 300 block of Summit Avenue in Gaithersburg. When police arrived, they found Salamanca Garcia in the entryway of an apartment building. He was covered in blood and exhibiting erratic behavior, according to Brown’s office.
Salamanca Garcia exited the building and approached officers while speaking incoherently and moving his arms in a manner that caused blood to splatter. Officers restrained Salamanca Garcia by placing and holding him on the ground while awaiting emergency medical services. During this time, Salamanca Garcia lost consciousness and stopped breathing. Officers rendered medical aid until medics arrived on scene. He was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead on Dec. 26, 2024.
The Judgment
The Attorney General’s Independent Investigations Division (IID) determined that the police officers did not commit a crime under Maryland law and will not be prosecuted.
An autopsy by the Medical Examiner’s Office determined that he died of “complications of cocaine and coca ethylene intoxication, sharp force injuries, cardiovascular disease, and prone restraint.”…