CALIFORNIA, Md. (October 21, 2011)—The St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office has disclosed that one of their deputies took the life of Kotrell Omar Newsome, age 38, of Lexington Park, via gunfire during the course of a domestic violence investigation on Thursday in Lexington Park.
Police released the following statement:
"On October 20, 2011, DFC Robert Gill from the St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office Patrol Division responded to the 48000 block of Spinnaker Circle, Lexington Park, Maryland for a reported domestic assault. During the course of DFC Gill's investigation it was determined Kotrell Omar Newsome, age 38, of Lexington Park, Maryland assaulted and injured his wife. While DFC Gill was investigating the crime, Newsome became aggressive towards the officer and his own family. When DFC Gill attempted to arrest Newsome, he resisted and a violent struggle ensued. During the course of the altercation, DFC Gill deployed a Taser and used other control methods which were ineffective. DFC Gill was injured during the altercation and fired his handgun, striking Newsome. Newsome was pronounced dead on the scene.
"Detectives from the St. Mary's County Bureau of Criminal Investigations and the St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office, Office of Professional Responsibilities (Internal Affairs) continue to investigate the incident. DFC Gill has been placed on routine administrative leave while the investigation is conducted."