Tesfa Leif Obituary, Death; Man fatally shot by Cheverly police chief identified.
Tesfa Leif Obituary, Death – Authorities in Maryland have identified the man who was shot and killed by the police chief of Cheverly earlier this week. The Maryland Attorney General’s Office announced that the deceased was 45-year-old Tesfa Leif, a resident of Riverdale.
The shooting took place Tuesday afternoon in the 6600 block of Greenland Street in Riverdale, according to officials. Investigators said the incident unfolded after officers responded to a reported stabbing in Cheverly earlier in the day. Around 4:50 p.m., Cheverly Police Chief David Morris joined his officers and members of the Prince George’s County Police Department to follow up on the case.
During the response, police said they came across Leif, who was armed with two knives. Officers ordered him to drop the weapons, but investigators stated he refused to comply. At that point, one officer used a Taser in an effort to subdue him, but the device was ineffective. Officials said Leif then charged directly toward Chief Morris. In response, Morris fired his weapon, striking the man.
Authorities said lifesaving measures were quickly attempted, but despite efforts from officers and emergency responders, Leif died at the scene. No officers were injured in the encounter.
The case is now being handled by the Independent Investigations Division of the Attorney General’s Office. Typically, the division does not investigate shootings involving police chiefs, but in this case, it took over after the Prince George’s County State’s Attorney made a referral. This step was taken to ensure a transparent review of the incident, according to a statement from the division.
Chief Morris, who fired the fatal shots, has been at the helm of the Cheverly Police Department for the past two years. However, he brings decades of law enforcement experience, with 38 years of service in the field prior to leading the Cheverly force. In the wake of the incident, Deputy Chief Jennifer Krauss has been named Acting Chief of the department until the investigation concludes.
The incident has sparked discussion in the community, with many expressing shock that a police chief was directly involved in the use of deadly force. Officials reiterated that the shooting came after multiple attempts to subdue the armed man without lethal measures, including verbal commands and the unsuccessful deployment of a Taser.
The Attorney General’s Office has not yet released further details about Leif, including whether he was connected to the earlier stabbing investigation that initially brought officers to Riverdale. Investigators are continuing to gather evidence, including officer body camera footage, which is expected to play a critical role in determining whether proper procedures were followed.
Community leaders have emphasized the importance of patience while the investigation runs its course. Transparency and accountability remain central concerns as officials work to piece together the full timeline of events leading up to the shooting.
The Cheverly Police Department released a brief statement offering condolences to Leif’s family and affirming that the department is fully cooperating with the Attorney General’s Office review. The department has also assured the public that routine policing operations will continue under Acting Chief Krauss’s leadership.
Incidents like this one are rare, particularly involving senior law enforcement officials such as a police chief. The case has drawn heightened public interest and underscores the complexities officers face when confronting armed individuals in tense, fast-moving situations.
As the investigation proceeds, the Attorney General’s Office is expected to release additional findings, including the results of the independent review. Until then, Chief Morris remains on leave while Acting Chief Krauss oversees the department.
The outcome of the probe will determine whether the shooting is deemed justified or whether further action will be taken. For now, authorities continue to urge the public to withhold judgment until all facts are made available.
