Grand Jury Clears Deputies in Shooting Death

A Frederick County grand jury cleared two sheriff's deputies in the fatal shooting of a Mount Airy man in January.

State's Attorney Charlie Smith said the panel found Friday that the deputies were justified in shooting 19-year-old Daniel Vail.

Vail was a suspect in an armed home invasion two days earlier, police said. Deputies Charles Zang and Kevin Riffle went to his apartment at 1 a.m. Jan. 10 to serve a search-and-seizure warrant, which described the anticipated raid as "high risk."

Smith said the deputies entered Vail's bedroom and found him pointing a shotgun at them. He said the deputies fired after ordering Vail several times to drop the gun.

Vail's mother was also home at the time of the incident, but was not injured. 

Zang and Riffle, members of the Sheriff's Office Special Service Team, were originally placed on administrative leave while the incident was being investigated. There is no word on when they will return to the the force. 

The Vail family has questioned the use of deadly force. Their attorney says there is evidence the deputies fired at least 18 shots.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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