WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia announced today that there is insufficient evidence to bring federal criminal civil rights or local charges against Deputy U.S. Marshals Michael Maradin and Kevin Chan for the fatal shooting of Alaunte Scott in February 2023. The shooting took place outside the Atlantic Gardens apartment complex in Southeast Washington.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Metropolitan Police Department conducted a comprehensive investigation into the incident, including a review of witness statements, physical evidence, surveillance footage, and police reports. According to the collected evidence, on February 28, 2023, Maradin and Chan were part of a team attempting to execute an arrest warrant on Scott. During the attempt, Scott fled and tried to climb a fence. When Scott reached into his waistband and pulled out a gun, the deputies opened fire. Scott was given medical aid by the deputies and was later pronounced dead while being transported to Washington Hospital Center.
Federal prosecutors have concluded that there is insufficient evidence to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the deputies used excessive force under the circumstances.
In general, the U.S. Attorney’s Office reviews all cases involving police fatalities to determine if there has been a violation of either federal civil rights laws or District of Columbia law. Prosecutors face a heavy burden to prove that officers willfully used excessive force. To bring charges, not only must it be proved that the force used was excessive, but it must also be proved beyond a reasonable doubt that the officer acted with the specific intent to violate the law.