Howard Sye

By Zak Failla From Daily Voice

Investigators have released the name of the man shot and killed by police in Baltimore County, along with the four officers who opened fire, according to the state AG's Office.

The Independent Investigations Division of the Maryland Office of the Attorney General said the fatal shooting happened on Wednesday, Dec. 3, in Essex after Baltimore County Police officers responded to a 911 call for a stabbing in the 900 block of Holgate Drive around 8:30 p.m.

When officers got there, they “encountered a man armed with a knife.” 

Investigators said officers gave him verbal commands, and “at that point, multiple officers discharged their service weapons, striking the man.”

Officers gave medical aid until EMS arrived and took him to a local hospital, where he was later pronounced dead, according to investigators. 

A woman with an apparent stab wound was found inside the apartment and taken to a hospital for treatment. One officer was also injured during the incident and hospitalized. 

A knife was recovered at the scene.

On Friday, Dec. 5, officials identified the man who died as 31-year-old Howard Sye of Essex.

They also released the names of the four Baltimore County Police officers involved in the shooting:

  • Officer Malia Hooper – 1 year of service;
  • Officer Trent LaPosta – 1 year of service;
  • Officer First Class Nicholas Vagnier – 2 years of service;
  • Officer Hunter Cortes – 2 years of service.

All four officers are assigned to the Operations Bureau, according to the Independent Investigations Division.

The unit said it “continues to investigate the circumstances of the fatal officer-involved shooting.” 

Anyone with information about the incident — including cell phone video or private surveillance footage — is asked to contact the IID.