BALTIMORE, MD—The Independent Investigations Division of the Office of the Attorney General on Tuesday released its investigative report on the May 4, 2022, fatal officer-involved shooting in Baltimore County.
On May 4, officers with the Baltimore County Police Department responded to a home in the 900 block of Boundbrook Way in Essex for the report of a physical domestic disturbance. The 911 caller stated that a man, later identified as Ralph Picarello III, was inside the home throwing items at a family member. While officers were inside the home speaking to Picarello, he picked up a knife and carving fork. Officers ordered him to drop the knives, but Picarello did not comply. Investigators say he then moved quickly toward officers while still holding the knife and carving fork. One officer deployed his taser, and Officers Eric Pellegrino and Derrick Manning discharged their firearms, striking Picarello. He was pronounced dead on scene. No one else was injured during the encounter.
The IID concluded its investigation on August 23 and forwarded its investigative report to the Baltimore County State’s Attorney’s Office on August 30. The Baltimore County State’s Attorney’s Office notified the IID on September 8 of its decision not to prosecute the case.
The IID’s report contains detailed investigative findings and an analysis of relevant legal issues. Because the Baltimore County State’s Attorney’s Office—not the IID—retains prosecution authority in this case, the report does not make any recommendations as to whether any individual should or should not be charged.
A copy of the investigative report can be viewed online here (PDF).
By law, the IID’s report must remain confidential until any related prosecution is completed or the State’s Attorney’s Office declines to prosecute. If the local State’s Attorney decides to prosecute the matter, the IID will then release the report with appropriate redactions for confidentiality, within 30 days of a final judgment of all defendants in the case. If the local State’s Attorney declines to prosecute, the IID will release the report, with appropriate redactions for confidentiality, within 30 days of that determination.
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