Officials release report on April fatal officer-involved shooting in Somerset Co.

WESTOVER, Md. – The Independent Investigations Division of the Office of Attorney General has released its investigative report of the April 25, 2022 fatal officer-involved shooting in Somerset County.

Just before noon, the Somerset County Sheriff’s Office responded to a 911 call from a Westover convenience store regarding a man that had pointed a handgun at the caller and demanded money before fleeing the area. A short time later, approximately two miles away, Somerset County Sergeant Kevin Goepfert located the suspect, identified as William Brink. During the encounter, both Brink and Sgt. Goepfert fired their handguns. Brink then fled towards a field near the intersection of Route 13 and Perry Road. Additional officers with the Somerset County Sheriff’s Office, Maryland State Police, and Princess Anne Police Department responded to assist.

When officers located Brink, he fired his handgun again, shooting himself in the chin. Brink initially fell but stood back up several seconds later, at which point Deputy First Class Anthony Jackson and MSP Corporal Jason Dykes discharged their firearms, hitting Brink twice. He was taken to an area hospital where he was pronounced dead. No one else was injured.

The investigation concluded on August 2nd and the IID forwarded its investigative report to the Somerset County State’s Attorney’s Office the following day. The IID was notified by the State’s Attorney’s Office on August 12th of its decision not to prosecute the case.

The investigative report, which can be found here, contains detailed investigative findings and an analysis of relevant legal issues, and does not make any recommendations as to whether or not an officer should be charged.

Our original story on the incident can be found here.