December 6th, 2025 by WCBC Radio

The Independent Investigations Division (IID) of the Maryland Office of the Attorney General has identified the decedent and the Baltimore County Police Department (BCPD) officers involved in the fatal officer-involved shooting that occurred on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, in Essex, Baltimore County, Maryland. The decedent is identified as 31-year-old Howard Sye of Essex, Maryland. The involved BCPD officers are Officer Malia Hooper, 1 year of service; Officer Trent LaPosta, 1 year of service; Officer First Class Nicholas Vagnier, 2 years of service; and Officer Hunter Cortes, 2 years of service. All officers are assigned to the Operations Bureau. The IID continues to investigate the circumstances of the fatal officer-involved shooting. Anyone with information about this incident, including cell phone or private surveillance video, is asked to contact the IID at (410) 576-7070 or by email at IID@oag.maryland.gov.