(SALISBURY, Md.)- A 14-year-veteran with the Wicomico County Sheriff's Office is cleared in a deadly police-involved shooting, which left one deputy injured and a Salisbury man dead.
The incident happened around 2 a.m. March 3, 2015, along Dennis Street in Salisbury. A lengthy investigation into the shooting came to a conclusion Tuesday, December 29, 2015.
In a press conference administered by the Wicomico County State's Attorney Matthew Maciarello, photos of the crime scene, taken minutes after the deadly scuffle, were on display. Maciarello, flanked by the lead investigator, revealed details of the incident leading up to the shooting and moments after.
"We almost lost a deputy," said Matthew Maciarello, State's Attorney. "This was a very dangerous situation for one of our deputies."
A community of single-family home and potted plants that greet you on the corner of Olivia Street is where Maciarello says Fednel Rhinvil, 25, of Salisbury, was shot by Deputy First Class Benjamin Jones, of Wicomico County Sheriff's Office Deputy.
According to the report, police patrol was increased in area of Olivia Street; this after the department received information about credible threats of a man planning to "shoot up" a home on Olivia Street, just one block over from where the Jones spotted Rhinvil and his friend walking. That's when authorities say a lawful stop quickly escaladed. Authorities say Rhinvil took off running until Deputy Jones stopped him while scaling a fence. Police say a fight ensued; and pinned to the ground along Dennis Street, Jones struggled to escape.
"It was going to be him [Rhinvil] or me [Deputy Jones]," said Maciarello, as he tells WRDE how Deputy Jones said he felt during those life-threatening moments. "He was in fear for his life. Jones then fired his firearm, and he continued to fire into Rhinvil's body until he fell to the ground." And laying next to Rhinvil was a .22 Caliber Revolver, which Jones said Rhinvil pulled from his pocket.
Maciarello said the deputy fire four rounds. Rhinvil was shot in the chest, finger and head, said Maciarello.
"Jones' statement is deemed credible," said Maciarello.
Jones, who was seen here with an injured hand after the March incident, is back to work today.
"There's no prosecutive merit and this case is close," said Maciarello.