On a late autumn evening in Aquasco, Maryland, events unfolded that would end in the death of 49-year-old Phillip Charles Boling. On November 25, 2011, at approximately 6:15 p.m., patrol officers from the Prince George's County Police Department were dispatched to a residence on the 21000 block of Aquasco Road. The call was for an armed individual who was reportedly threatening to commit suicide.
Upon their arrival, the situation quickly escalated.
According to police reports, Boling discharged his handgun at the officers. In response to the gunfire and Boling's refusal to communicate, a barricade situation was declared, and the Special Investigative Response Team was called to the scene. This led to a tense standoff as law enforcement attempted to resolve the situation peacefully.
A short time later, Boling exited his home and confronted the officers who had established a perimeter. He was still armed and reportedly refused commands to put down his weapon. Fearing for their safety and the safety of others present, one of the officers, an 11-year veteran of the department, discharged his county-issued firearm, striking Boling.
Phillip Charles Boling was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced deceased. As is standard procedure in officer-involved shootings, the Prince George's County Police Department's Special Investigative Response Team initiated an investigation into the incident. The officer who fired the fatal shot was placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation. There have been no public reports regarding any arrests or criminal charges against the officer involved in the shooting.
