Dyonta Quarles, Jr.

Date: 1/30/2022          Location: Crofton, MD           FACTORS (1,2,12,14,15,19)

Name: Dyonta Quarles, Jr.                                       

Criminal History/Involved: Unknown. / Yes, Quarles had just committed domestic assault.

Mental Illness: None stated.

Substance Abuse History/Involved: Unknown. / None stated.

Race/Sex/Age: Black/Male/20

Officer(s) involved:   Anne Arundel Police Officer First Class J. Ricci                                           

What prompted the initial contact with police? At around 4 a.m. on January 30, 2022, Anne Arundel police responded to a 911 call from a woman reporting her son, Dyonta Quarles had assaulted her and refused to let her leave the house. Upon arriving at the scene it was relayed to officers through dispatch that Quarles was not letting his mother answer the door so she requested they forcefully enter the house.

Actions taken by subject towards police: When the officers made their way into the house and confronted Quarles he initially complied and got on the ground, but when they attempted to handcuff him, Quarles fought with the officers, injuring Officer Ricci.

Reactions by the police: Officer Ricci deployed the taser on Quarles but it had no effect so the officer escalated to deadly force.

Outcome of investigation into the fatal police incident: The Office of the Attorney General is reviewing the officers’ body cam videos and investigating.

What could the subject have done that day to still be alive today? Quarles could still be alive if he: had not assaulted his mother prompting her to call 911; allowed his mother to leave the house; complied with the officers and been peacefully arrested.

Justified Use of Deadly Force? YES, with Quarles already injuring Officer Ricci, the officers had reasonable cause to believe Quarles continued struggle with them could cause serious physical injury and enable him to access one of their duty weapons, so Officer Ricci justifiably used deadly force to defend against that possibility.