POLICE Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

MD Police Release Video of Fatal Shooting of Man Armed with Grill Fork

A critical incident briefing video released by the Montgomery County Department of Police shows the officer-involved shooting that killed a man armed with a grill fork. The officer ordered the man to drop the knife, as it appeared to be from the officer’s

by Staff
October 22, 2024
MD Police Release Video of Fatal Shooting of Man Armed with Grill Fork

Montgomery County Department of Police highlights the weapon being carried by a man who was killed in an officer-involved shooting on Sept. 21. The department, this week, released a video detailing the incident.

Credit:

Montgomery County Department of Police screenshot

2 min to read



The Montgomery County Department of Police released a critical incident video detailing a Sept. 21 call in Silver Spring, Maryland, in which an officer shot a man armed with a grill fork who refused to drop the weapon. The man died from his injuries.

Ad Loading...

That night officers responded to a call reporting an assault in process. The caller advised an intoxicated male was trying to fight people, said Carlos Cortes-Vasquez, of the department’s public information office.

The video explains that as multiple units responded to the call, Montgomery County Cpl. Cody Hobbs was the first to arrive. His body-worn camera video shows the encounter with the man, who appeared to be holding a large knife. Later, police recovered a large grilling fork from the scene.

Hobbs is heard repeatedly telling the man to “drop the knife.”

But the video shows the man approaching Hobbs with the weapon in hand and then walking past, heading toward a group of people. At that point, Hobbs fired multiple rounds, and the man fell to the ground.

Officers provided first aid and requested fire rescue assistance, Cortes-Vasquez said. However, the man, identified as Melvin Chavez, died.

Ad Loading...

The Maryland Office of the Attorney General, Independent Investigations Division, with the assistance of Maryland State Police, is leading this investigation. Additionally, the Montgomery County Department of Police’s Office of Internal Affairs will conduct an administrative investigation.


Ad Loading...
Topics:Patrol

More Patrol

Black background with POLICE logo, police light bar, and headline Top 10 Videos of 2025.
Patrolby Wayne ParhamJanuary 7, 2026

Top 10 POLICE Videos of 2025

What were the top videos published by POLICE in 2025? Many covered tactics and officer safety, while others came from booth visits at IACP in Denver, Colorado. In case you missed these, here are the top 10 videos.

Read More →
Blue tinted background of a police dispatcher with headline Flock Safety + Coreforce Integation
TechnologyJanuary 7, 2026

Flock Safety and Coreforce Partner to Enhance Real-Time Awareness and Operational Efficiency for Law Enforcement

A new integration partnership will enable Flock Safety hotlist alerts and license plate recognition (LPR) searches directly in Coreforce’s Real-Time Crime Center (RTCC) and Digital Evidence Management System (DEMS) platform.

Read More →
three background images - man in tactical gear, image of ballistic helmet, photo of police officer in tactical gear approaching a car, and a circle with logo for Ballistic Armor Co.
PatrolJanuary 7, 2026

Ballistic Armor Co. Secures Strategic Investment to Expand U.S. Production Capabilities

Ballistic Armor Co. secured a new commitment that will accelerate its multi-year transition from a third-party tactical equipment retailer to a premium innovator and U.S. manufacturer of advanced protective systems.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
image of men on bicycles and women competing in martial arts and a log for the US Police & Fire Championships
PatrolDecember 10, 2025

Police & Fire Championships Expands Athlete Eligibility

The US Police & Fire Championships is now open to all employees – sworn, civilian, administrative, technical, and support staff – who work directly for an eligible public safety agency.

Read More →
Thumbnail for video series POLICE Topics, Tactic & TIps against a black background and an illuminated police car light bar. Headline for Tips for Watching the Hands
Sponsoredby Wayne ParhamDecember 5, 2025

Tips for Watching the Hands

How can officers better “watch the hands”? Mike Willis, Law Enforcement National Training and Program Director for the US Deputy Sheriff's Association, shares some tips.

Read More →
Thumbnail for video series POLICE Topics, Tactics & Tips with yellow headline 10 Tips for Felony/High-Risk Stops.
Sponsoredby Wayne ParhamDecember 3, 2025

10 Tips for Felony/High-Risk Stops

What steps can officers take to stay safer during felony or high-risk vehicle stops? Here are 10 tips from Mike Willis, Law Enforcement National Training and Program Director for the US Deputy Sheriff's Association.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Screenshot of compute screen showing a blurred license plate compared to an image where the image has been enhanced to show the numbers and letters.
Patrolby Edited by StaffNovember 25, 2025

Amped Highlights Power Behind Amped FIVE Software

Amped FIVE empowers you to advance your investigations with confidence and precision, from the crime scene all the way to the courtroom.

Read More →
Background orange tinted image of southern California with pushpin marking Burbank. Headline reads K-9 Killed by Gunman, Burbank Police Department
PatrolNovember 24, 2025

Police K-9 Killed, Suspect Dies in Shootout with Cops

A Burbank Police Department K-9 was fatally shot over the weekend by a passenger who fled on foot from a traffic stop. The armed suspect was killed in a shootout with officers.

Read More →
Thumbnail image with blue and red police lights against a black background, large POLICE logo, headline for From the Show Floor: InVeris
Patrolby Wayne ParhamNovember 23, 2025

From the Show Floor: InVeris

In this video, learn about how InVeris provides training to law enforcement, including customized augmented reality scenarios. The augmented reality system can scan up to 10,000 square feet of real-life environments and create a curriculum based on those spaces.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Thumbnail image for video series POLICE From the Show Floor featuring Polaris Government & Defense.
Patrolby Wayne ParhamNovember 19, 2025

From the Show Floor: Polaris Government & Defense

Learn about Polaris Government & Defense in this video as POLICE visits their show booth to discover their side-by-sides and the advantages they provide for agencies.

Read More →