Maryland Police Shoot and Kill a 61-Year-Old Man While Trying to Serve a “Red Flag” Order — Officials Say It Is “a Sign” the Law is Needed

Republican lawmakers led by Sen. Lindsey Graham and his cohorts are discussing new “red flag” laws to take guns from “unstable” individuals.

Last November a 61-year-old Maryland man was shot dead while police were trying to serve him a “red flag” order.

The local officials said it was a sign the law is needed.

The victim’s niece said the victim, Gary J. Willis, liked to speak his mind but was harmless.

Capital Gazette reported:

The Anne Arundel County police chief defended Maryland’s new “red flag” protective law Monday, just hours after a 61-year-old man was shot and killed while officers were trying to serve a court order requiring him to surrender his guns.

Chief Timothy Altomare said the fatal shooting in Ferndale was a sign that the law, which went into effect Oct. 1, is needed. There have been 19 protective orders sought in the county since then, tying Harford County for the most in Maryland, according to a report on the first month. Statewide, about half of the 114 orders sought have been granted.

“If you look at this morning’s outcome, it’s tough for us to say ‘Well, what did we prevent?’ ” he said. “Because we don’t know what we prevented or could’ve prevented. What would’ve happened if we didn’t go there at 5 a.m.?”

SUSPECT ID'D| 60-year-old shot and killed by police after officers say he fired gun. Gary Willis pronounced dead on scene. https://t.co/hfVyWlRgQA

— FOX Baltimore (@FOXBaltimore) November 5, 2018