Pytorcarcha Brooks Obituary, Death – Authorities have released the identities of those involved in a fatal police-involved shooting that occurred earlier this week in Baltimore. The Maryland Office of the Attorny General’s Independent Investigations Division (IID) confirmed that the woman killed was 70-year-old Pytorcarcha Brooks of Baltimore.
The two officers involved were also identified. Officer Stephen Colbert, who has served with the Baltimore Police Department for eight years, and Officer Stephen Galewski, a three-year veteran, were both assigned to the patrol division.
The incident unfolded on Wednesday, June 25, around 2:30 p.m., after multiple emergency calls were placed requesting assistance at a home on the 2700 block of Mosher Street. When officers arrived, they discovered that Brooks was inside the residence and experiencing a behavioral health crisis, according to Police Commissioner Richard Worley.
Attempts were made by the officers to communicate with Brooks in hopes of calming the situation. However, officials said the conversations were unsuccessful. As the situation escalated and communication remained ineffective, officers forced entry into the residence.
Once inside, officers found Brooks armed with a knife. Despite repeated verbal commands instructing her to drop the weapon, Brooks reportedly refused to comply. At one point, she allegedly lunged at the officers with the knife in hand.
In response, one of the officers deployed a Taser in an effort to subdue her, but it failed to incapacitate Brooks. As officers tried to retreat from the home to defuse the situation, one officer tripped over a chair and fell to the floor. Officials say Brooks then advanced toward the fallen officer while still wielding the knife.
At that moment, the second officer fired his service weapon, discharging two rounds that struck Brooks. She was quickly transported to a nearby hospital, where she was pronounced dead from her injuries.
The officer who had fallen during the confrontation suffered a back injury from the fall and was also taken to a hospital for treatment. Authorities clarified that none of the officers were physically harmed by Brooks during the encounter.
The Independent Investigations Division is continuing its inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the shooting. They are actively seeking any additional information that could aid in the investigation. Officials have asked anyone who may have relevant details, including cell phone or security camera footage, to contact the IID at 410-576-7070.
As the investigation proceeds, the incident remains under review to determine whether proper protocols were followed and whether the use of deadly force was justified in this situation.
