WHITE PLAINS — Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown announced his decision not to seek charges against two Charles County Sheriff’s Office officers in the fatal police-involved shooting of Demarcus Irish on February 11 2026.
The Independent Investigations Division completed its review and released the declination report detailing the events. Sergeant Andrew Coulby and Private First Class Brennan Kunz both assigned to the Domestic Violence Unit responded at approximately 2:30 p.m. to locate Irish near the residence of his former girlfriend in White Plains. Irish 36 of Clinton was the subject of an active arrest warrant for malicious destruction of property and an unserved protective order.
Officers had responded to multiple calls involving Irish in the days before the incident. Between February 4 and February 9 the sheriff’s office handled reports of burglary and vandalism at the woman’s home. On February 5 at approximately 3 a.m. she called 911 to report Irish attempting to break in. Surveillance video captured him kicking the front door. Officers noted damage to the residence and to the tires of her vehicle. Later that morning a supervisor saw Irish nearby but he refused to speak and walked away.
On February 6 another burglary call came in. A witness saw Irish enter the backyard and garage. Officers found damage to window screens and a door camera. Irish fled the scene in a vehicle driven at high speed. A responding officer attempted a traffic stop but the pursuit was terminated by a supervisor. Officers learned Irish had also evaded service of the protective order.
On February 9 officers conducted a walk-through of the residence after the woman reported an open window. They found extensive damage to furniture appliances and personal items. While on scene Irish made repeated cell phone calls to the woman. She told officers she and her children had not been home for four days due to threats and that Irish was acting erratically and unpredictably. The Southern Maryland Information Center issued a bulletin naming Irish as wanted. It noted his threats including a statement that he was armed on his way to the residence and planning to shoot anyone in his way.
When Coulby and Kunz located Irish on February 11 they observed he appeared to be wearing body armor. An eyewitness working ten to fifteen feet away reported Irish was carrying items in his arms. Officers commanded him to drop everything. Irish moved toward them pulled out a machete and began swinging it in an attempt to stab the officers. The eyewitness said Irish was within five feet when the officers yelled for him to drop the knife and put his hands up. Both officers then discharged their firearms.
Body-worn camera footage from both officers confirmed the account. The videos showed Irish draw the machete raise it above his head in a striking position appear to swing it disregard commands and move within feet of Coulby in position to strike. Irish fell to the ground with multiple gunshot wounds. Officers removed his tactical vest identified injuries and provided medical aid until emergency medical services arrived. Irish was pronounced dead at the scene. No officers were injured.
The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner performed an autopsy on February 12 and determined multiple gunshot wounds caused the death with the manner classified as homicide. Maryland State Police technicians recovered ten cartridge casings matching Coulby’s rifle and seven matching Kunz’s handgun.
The Charles County Sheriff’s Office use-of-force policy allows lethal force to protect against death or serious physical injury. The report states the officers fired center mass as taught until the threat ended.
The Independent Investigations Division focused solely on potential criminal culpability of the officers. It reviewed all evidence including videos the eyewitness account the autopsy ballistics and departmental records. No relevant prior discipline or criminal history existed for the parties involved. The subject officers did not make statements to investigators but that choice had no impact on the decision.
In its legal analysis the office considered the state Use of Force Statute and homicide offenses. Prosecutors must prove each element of a crime beyond a reasonable doubt and disprove any affirmative defense. The report concludes insufficient evidence exists to prove the force was not necessary and proportional to prevent an imminent threat of serious injury or death. Irish advanced with the machete raised in striking position within feet of an officer after ignoring commands. The totality of circumstances included prior threats erratic behavior and the immediate actions on scene.
For homicide charges the evidence does not support first-degree murder due to lack of premeditation. Second-degree murder and voluntary manslaughter are ruled out because complete self-defense applies. The officers were not initial aggressors reasonably believed they faced immediate danger of serious harm or death and used force no greater than necessary. That belief was objectively reasonable from the perspective of officers facing a rapidly evolving threat. Involuntary manslaughter does not apply because the act was intentional not grossly negligent.
The Attorney General therefore declined to prosecute the subject officers. The report emphasizes the investigation did not address civil liability or administrative matters. Compelled statements if any were not considered for criminal purposes.
The case stemmed from ongoing concerns for the safety of the woman and her children following repeated incidents. The declination concludes the February 11 response and use of force met legal standards under Maryland law.
