Arvel Jones, Sr. Obituary, Death: Officials name man with bow and arrow, officer in fatal Arbutus shooting.

Arvel Jones, Sr. Obituary, Death – The Maryland Office of the Attorney General’s Independent Investigations Division (IID) has released the identities of both the man who was fatally shot by police and the officer involved in the shooting that occurred earlier this week in Arbutus. The incident, which drew significant public attention, is still under investigation as officials work to determine the full circumstances of what transpired.

The man killed in the incident has been identified as 51-year-old Arvel Jones, Sr., a resident of Arbutus. According to investigators, Jones was armed with a bow and arrow and was reportedly using it to shoot at passing vehicles before the fatal encounter with police. The officer who discharged his firearm has been named as Detective Todd Wiedel, a longtime member of the Baltimore County Police Department with 28 years of service.

The incident occurred on the morning of Tuesday, April 23. Around 10:30 a.m., Baltimore County police received a 911 call reporting a suspicious man wearing a black ski mask and armed with a bow and arrow on the 5100 block of Leeds Avenue in Arbutus. The caller stated that the man was actively firing arrows at passing vehicles, raising significant concerns for public safety.

An officer responded to the call and, shortly after, a second officer arrived on the scene. The officers quickly located a man matching the caller’s description—later confirmed to be Jones. Authorities say that during the encounter with police, Detective Wiedel discharged his firearm, striking Jones at least once. Details about what exactly led to the shooting have not yet been made public.

Immediately after the shooting, officers administered emergency medical care to Jones at the scene until emergency medical services arrived. Jones was then transported to a nearby hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

A bow and several arrows were recovered by investigators at the scene, reinforcing the accounts provided in the 911 call and initial police statements. Authorities confirmed that no officers or civilians were injured during the incident.

At this stage, the Independent Investigations Division is working to piece together the timeline and specific actions that led to the deadly shooting. While the IID typically releases body-worn camera footage of such incidents within 20 business days, there is a complication in this case. Detective Wiedel, the officer who fired the fatal shot, was not wearing a body camera at the time of the encounter. Additionally, the witness officer who responded to the scene had not activated their body-worn camera until after the shooting had already occurred. This lack of recorded footage may delay a full public understanding of the exact sequence of events.

Despite the absence of real-time video evidence, investigators will continue to examine all available information, including physical evidence from the scene, statements from witnesses and officers, and any surveillance video from nearby buildings or residences.

The Maryland Office of the Attorney General has requested that anyone who witnessed the incident or who has information that could assist the investigation contact the Independent Investigations Division at 410-576-7070. Public cooperation may prove crucial in reconstructing the moments leading up to the confrontation.

The shooting has raised a number of questions from community members, particularly surrounding the circumstances of the encounter and the use of deadly force. As with all police-involved shootings in Maryland, this case is being reviewed by an independent agency to ensure a thorough, unbiased investigation. The goal is to determine whether the officers involved acted in accordance with departmental policy and state law.

Detective Todd Wiedel, while not currently under disciplinary action, may be subject to internal review once the IID concludes its investigation. As a veteran of nearly three decades on the force, his conduct and decision-making in this incident will be closely scrutinized.

Meanwhile, the community of Arbutus continues to react to the startling nature of the incident. A man wielding a bow and arrow in a public area is a highly unusual threat, and the fact that he was reportedly targeting passing cars adds an alarming element to the case. However, the deadly outcome has sparked discussions about de-escalation, mental health response protocols, and the use of lethal force.

Authorities have not yet released any information regarding a possible motive behind Jones’s actions or whether he had any prior interactions with law enforcement. His background, including any criminal history or mental health concerns, is expected to be reviewed as part of the ongoing investigation.

As the IID moves forward with its inquiry, updates will be shared with the public to maintain transparency. The office is tasked with ensuring accountability and helping the public understand how and why police force is used in high-risk encounters.

This case remains under active investigation, and more details will be released in the coming weeks.