The Office of the State’s Attorney in St. Mary’s County has completed its review of the fatal shooting of Peyton Ham, 16, of Leonardtown, on April 13, 2021, by Maryland State Police Trooper Joseph Azzari. The report states the following: “Based upon our investigation and analysis, we find that the intentional actions of Ham triggered this tragic course of events, and that Trooper Azzari was in reasonable fear for his life considering the facts and circumstances confronting him. Accordingly, Trooper Azzari acted in lawful self-defense and the defense of others when he fired his duty weapon at Ham. The evidence, viewed as a whole, supports the conclusion that Trooper Azzari’s use of deadly force was reasonable under Maryland law. Accordingly, we will not file criminal charges, and this matter will be closed without prosecution.” Based on their investigation, they concluded that Ham intentionally engaged in behavior that posed an apparent risk of imminent serious injury or death, with the intent to precipitate the use of deadly force by law enforcement personnel towards himself. As a result of Ham’s actions, Trooper Azzari was in reasonable fear for his life considering the facts and circumstances confronting him and acted in lawful self-defense […]
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