Maryland political aide died after 2 gunshot wounds, one self-inflicted

ANNAPOLIS, Md. — A former Maryland political aide who failed to seem for his trial on federal corruption expenses died after struggling two gunshot wounds — one in every of them self-inflicted — as FBI brokers closed in on him in Tennessee, in accordance with an post-mortem report made public Friday.

Authorities mentioned brokers acted in self-defense, and there can be no expenses in opposition to any of the brokers concerned.

Roy McGrath died on April 4 close to Knoxvillle, Tennessee, after he failed to seem at Baltimore’s federal courthouse for his March 13 trial.

“One of the gunshot wounds was self-inflicted and the other gunshot wound was not; however due to a prolonged survival interval after sustaining the wounds and ultimately dying in the hospital, it cannot be determined which gunshot wound killed him, and therefore the cause of death is ‘gunshot wounds of the head’ and manner of death is ‘could not be determined,’” the post-mortem report mentioned.

Knox County District Attorney General Charme Allen mentioned in a information launch that the agent who shot McGrath was appearing in self-defense.

“In this case, it is clear that agents had probable cause and a reasonable belief that McGrath posed a threat of imminent death or serious bodily injury,” Allen’s workplace mentioned within the launch.

The information launch additionally offered particulars about what occurred main as much as the FBI brokers closing in on McGrath. FBI brokers in Baltimore requested if Knoxville brokers may arrest McGrath, and so they offered a replica of the warrant, an outline of McGrath’s automobile, and details about McGrath’s location.

When brokers responded, they discovered McGrath’s automobile and tried to conduct a visitors cease when the automobile left a car parking zone, in accordance with the discharge. Despite the lights and sirens of the brokers’ autos, McGrath continued to drive till he was boxed in between two different companies.

Agents approached the automobile and repeatedly introduced, “FBI,” and ordered McGrath to place his fingers out the open driver’s facet window, the discharge mentioned, however McGrath replied, “No,” and, “I have a gun, and it’s loaded.”

Agents noticed McGrath with a handgun raised to his proper temple, and the way in which McGrath held the handgun positioned brokers throughout the trajectory of McGrath’s gun, inflicting one agent to consider McGrath posed a risk of imminent demise or critical bodily harm to himself and different brokers, the discharge mentioned.

“Simultaneously, McGrath fired his gun striking his right temple, and the agent fired one round striking McGrath’s left cheek. Agents immediately called for an ambulance. EMTs arrived and transported McGrath to the University of Tennessee Medical Center where he was pronounced dead thirty minutes later,” the discharge mentioned.

McGrath, 53, served as chief of employees to former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan. He was declared a needed fugitive after his disappearance.

After McGrath failed to seem at Baltimore’s federal courthouse on March 13, his lawyer mentioned he believed McGrath, who had moved to Naples, Florida, was planning to fly to Maryland the night time earlier than. Instead of starting jury choice, a decide issued an arrest warrant and dismissed potential jurors.

McGrath was indicted in 2021 on accusations he fraudulently secured a $233,648 severance fee, equal to at least one yr of wage as the pinnacle of Maryland Environmental Service, by falsely telling the company’s board the governor had authorised it. He was additionally accused of fraud and embezzlement related to roughly $170,000 in bills. McGrath pleaded not responsible.

McGrath resigned simply 11 weeks into the job as Hogan’s chief of employees in 2020 after the funds grew to become public.