BALTIMORE — The Baltimore Police Department (BPD) has disclosed the names of the officers and suspects involved in an officer-involved shooting that occurred on Tuesday evening in the western section of the city.
The officers involved are Officer Anthony Bennett, who has served for five years, Officer Austin Gutridge, with 12 years of experience, and Officer Jacob Redding, a four-year veteran. All three officers are part of the Operations Bureau's Eastern District Action Team.
The suspects have been identified as 61-year-old Andrew Brown and 37-year-old Devin Thomas.
On December 16, around 7:57 p.m., detectives from the Eastern District were monitoring CCTV footage when they observed what appeared to be narcotics activity near the intersection of North Charles and East 21st Streets. Consequently, the Eastern District Action Team was dispatched to the scene to investigate and attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a vehicle suspected of involvement in the illegal activity.
However, the vehicle fled, prompting a police pursuit. Although a request was made for BPD's helicopter unit, Foxtrot, it was unavailable at that time.
The suspect vehicle eventually entered the 500 block of West Lanvale Street and drove into a dead-end alley. Three officers exited their vehicle and approached the suspects, issuing verbal commands for them to show their hands.
According to police reports, the vehicle suddenly reversed toward one of the officers and collided with a fence. The vehicle then accelerated again toward the officer, leading all three officers to discharge their firearms.
During the incident, Brown, who was a passenger, fell out of the vehicle as it reversed. Thomas, the driver, exited the vehicle and lay on the ground.
Officers handcuffed both men and provided medical assistance to Thomas, who had sustained gunshot injuries, until emergency medical personnel arrived. He was subsequently transported to a local hospital and has since been released. Following his release, Thomas was arrested and charged with assault and the use of a dangerous weapon with intent to injure. His bond review is set for Monday at 11 a.m., according to court records.
Authorities conducted a search of the vehicle, recovering two firearms and narcotics.
The BPD's Special Investigations Response Team (SIRT) is currently investigating the incident. Additionally, the department has activated its Public Release of Critical Incident Recordings Policy to ensure transparency in the ongoing investigation.
This policy states that the BPD will release audio and video recordings of critical incidents involving its officers, provided that such disclosures do not compromise ongoing investigations.
Reported by HarborBeat based on WBFF (source).
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