Edward L Becker Jr.

Deadly force

Shortly after 8:30 p.m. Dec. 25, Edward L Becker's parents called 911 and reported that Becker was smashing the windows of his truck with a hammer, according to a state police press release. Three Taneytown police officers responded and "saw Becker walking down the street toward them," according to the release. The officers commanded Becker to drop the hammer and surrender, but he continued to approach, police said. The officers positioned themselves behind their police cars, according to the report. When Becker came within approximately an arm's length of an officer and raised the hammer, one of the officers shot him, according to police. Police at the scene administered first aid and called emergency medical personnel to the scene.