GAITHERSBURG, Md. — A 35-year-old man died two days after an interaction with Gaithersburg Police officers on Christmas Eve.
Officers responded to a disturbance in the 300 block of North Summit Avenue around 10:15 p.m. on Dec. 24, where they found Marvin Salamanca Garcia, 35, lying outside an apartment building. He was covered in blood, conscious, and acting erratically, according to police.
When Salamanca Garcia attempted to stand and walk away, officers restrained him, holding him on the ground until fire and rescue services arrived. However, before first responders reached the scene, he became unconscious and stopped breathing, police said.
Officers administered emergency medical aid until paramedics arrived. Salamanca Garcia was taken to a nearby hospital, where he died two days later, on Dec. 26.
Maryland’s Office of the Attorney General Independent Investigations Division (IID) is investigating the incident.
The IID identified seven officers involved, ranging from 1 to 11 years of service. They include Sgt. Evan Milano, Cpl. Doug Seek, and Officers William Diggons, Kelvin Colon, Nick Ozkayan, Anna Reckley, and Jaime Flores-Rios.
Body camera footage is expected to be released within 20 business days, unless delays are necessary for witness interviews, technical processing, or to allow the family to view the video first.
