Officers Cleared of Charges in Police Pursuit That Killed 3-Year-Old Zoey Harrison

WASHINGTON — Maryland’s top law enforcement office has announced that no charges will be filed against officers involved in a March police pursuit that ended with the death of 3-year-old Zoey Harrison, a bystander caught in the crash.

Attorney General’s Findings

Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown’s office released its decision more than six months after the fatal incident. According to investigators, evidence showed that District Heights and Capitol Heights police officers did not violate state law during the pursuit that led to the deadly crash.

“After completing its investigation and evaluating all the available evidence, the Office of the Attorney General has determined that the subject officers did not commit a crime under Maryland law,” the OAG said in a press release.

How the Pursuit Began

The chase started around 6:30 p.m. on March 7 when District Heights Police Department (DHPD) officers attempted to pull over a vehicle in the 6400 block of Walker Mill Road. The driver initially stopped but then sped off, leaving officers behind.

A second DHPD officer, along with a Capitol Heights officer, later located the vehicle and tried again to stop the driver. He refused to pull over, continuing to flee at high speed.

The Deadly Crash

The driver, identified as 23-year-old Warren Leonard, ultimately lost control in the 1200 block of Addison Road South, striking four vehicles in the process.

Among the victims was 3-year-old Zoey Harrison, who was riding in one of the cars struck by Leonard’s vehicle. She was rushed to a nearby hospital but died from her injuries. A woman and Leonard himself were also transported for medical treatment and survived. Several others sustained minor injuries that were treated at the scene.

Family’s Grief and Calls for Change

The tragedy devastated Harrison’s family, who remembered her as a joyful child who “made everyone around her smile.” Her loved ones have called for policy changes to prevent similar tragedies, urging police departments to reevaluate pursuit protocols and consider the risks to innocent bystanders.

Community members have also raised questions about the balance between law enforcement’s duty to apprehend suspects and the dangers high-speed chases pose to the public.

No Charges for Officers

After months of review, Attorney General Brown concluded that the officers’ actions did not rise to the level of criminal conduct. As a result, no charges will be brought against those involved in the pursuit.

The decision closes the criminal investigation into the officers’ conduct but leaves open broader discussions about public safety and pursuit policies.

Moving Forward

While Leonard faces charges in connection with the crash, Harrison’s family continues to mourn their loss and push for accountability beyond the courtroom. For them, the attorney general’s announcement brings little comfort, as the focus shifts toward preventing another child’s life from being cut short by a high-speed chase.