Silver Spring, MD Community Responds to Police Report on the Police Killing of Resident Robert White

A public opportunity for Silver Spring residents to respond to the just-released police report on the police killing on June 11 of community resident Robert White is scheduled for Sunday, April 7, 2 p.m., at Christ Congregational Church through a press conference and vigil commemorating Robert White’s life. This event will be held in cooperation with Silver Spring Justice Coalition.  Many in the local community have been greatly disturbed by the death of Robert White. Several community hearings and events have been held since his death seeking answers to why an innocent black man lost his life in June.

The police have conducted an investigation, which includes an opinion from an outside evaluator as well as an internal police review by Montgomery County Police Department. The police report was submitted to County Executive Marc Elrich in March 2019. Elrich requested that it be made public. The police report finds no fault by the department’s officers. The police report is available at

http://www.mymcpnews.com/2019/04/03/montgomery-county-department-of-police-release-review-memorandum-of-june-11-2018-police-involved-shooting-incident/

The community vigil and press conference by the church and Silver Spring Justice Coalition will provide an opportunity for residents to raise questions and for a brief vigil service in honor of Robert White. “The conclusion drawn by MCPD in its internal affairs investigation cause pain to our community because the police investigation failed to provide any moral or rational justification for the initial encounter by the police officer that led to Robert White’s killing,” said Carlean Ponder, of Silver Spring Justice Coalition. She added that “walking while Black, in a residential neighborhood, is conduct that can subject any member of the community to confrontation and being followed by law enforcement.” Reverend Matt Braddock, senior minister at Christ Congregational Church, added that the Sunday event offers an opportunity to the Silver Spring community to “stand up and speak out and engage in a faith-based response.”

Speakers Sunday will include Will Jawando, Montgomery County Councilmember; the Rev. Dr. Matt Braddock, Senior Minister, Christ Congregational Church; Cherri Branson of the NAACP; and Rosemary McCloskey, neighbor of Robert White.  Community members should enter the church from the parking lot at the rear of the church.