Jai Marc Howell Obituary, Death: Man Killed in York Road Police Shooting Identified by IID

BALTIMORE, MD — Authorities have released the identity of the man who was fatally shot by Baltimore police detectives earlier this week. The Maryland Attorney General’s Office confirmed that 26-year-old Jai Marc Howell died following a confrontation with officers on Monday afternoon.

The shooting occurred in the 4600 block of York Road, near East Cold Spring Lane, around 1:30 p.m. According to the Baltimore Police Department, officers were conducting operations in the area when they observed Howell and decided to engage with him.

Police Commissioner Richard Worley said that detectives wanted to speak with Howell, but as they approached, he fled on foot, prompting a pursuit. On Tuesday, the Maryland Attorney General’s Office’s Independent Investigations Division (IID), which is handling the case per standard protocol for police-involved shootings, released more details about the encounter.

According to the IID, three officers chased Howell on foot, while a fourth officer followed in a police vehicle. During the chase, officers reportedly issued multiple verbal commands, ordering Howell to stop. However, officials say he did not comply.

As the pursuit continued, Howell allegedly opened fire on the officers. Police said he fired several rounds at them, striking the patrol car multiple times. In response, officers returned fire, striking Howell during the exchange.

Commissioner Worley confirmed that the patrol vehicle appeared to have been hit by gunfire at least four to five times. Despite the gunfire, none of the officers involved were injured in the incident.

Once Howell was down, the officers rendered aid at the scene before emergency medical responders arrived. He was transported to a nearby hospital but succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead.

As the investigation progressed, the IID identified the three detectives involved in the shooting. They include Detective Enger Jimenez, who has served four years with the department; Detective Steven Foster, an 11-year veteran; and Detective Tony Tiburzi, who has five years of service. All three officers are assigned to the Northern District Action Team, a specialized unit within the Baltimore Police Department.

The IID also reported that a semiautomatic handgun equipped with an extended magazine was recovered near Howell at the scene of the shooting. Investigators are working to determine if this weapon was used during the exchange of gunfire with the officers.

While the reason officers initially sought to approach Howell remains unclear, Commissioner Worley said no clear motive for the shooting has been established. It is not yet known why Howell allegedly fired at the officers or what led to the confrontation.

The Independent Investigations Division continues to gather evidence, interview witnesses, and review body-worn camera footage from the officers involved. Their findings will determine whether the officers’ actions were consistent with department policies and state law.

The shooting has drawn public attention and concern, especially given the recurring national conversation about police use of force. The IID is tasked with ensuring transparency and accountability in cases where deadly force is used by law enforcement.

Community leaders and civil rights advocates have urged a thorough, impartial investigation. They are also calling for more information about what led up to the incident, including whether Howell was previously known to law enforcement and what role, if any, broader policing strategies in the area may have played in the fatal encounter.

Jai Marc Howell’s death has also sparked conversations within the neighborhood, with residents expressing a mix of concern over gun violence and apprehension about the role of police in such high-stakes encounters. Some residents near the scene reported hearing multiple gunshots, followed by a heavy police presence.

As the investigation continues, the officers involved have not been placed on administrative leave, although that status could change depending on the findings of the IID. The Attorney General’s Office emphasized that it would release additional details as they become available and that a full report will be published once the investigation is complete.

In the meantime, authorities are encouraging anyone who may have witnessed the incident or has relevant information to contact the IID or submit tips through their confidential channels.

This case marks another entry in the ongoing dialogue between law enforcement and the communities they serve, especially when interactions end in tragedy. While the circumstances of the shooting are still under review, the central facts — that a 26-year-old man is dead and that police were fired upon during an attempted stop — underscore the complex and dangerous nature of police work, as well as the urgent need for continued efforts to build trust and ensure accountability.

As Jai Marc Howell’s family and the broader community await the results of the investigation, the incident remains a somber reminder of the challenges and consequences surrounding law enforcement encounters across the country.