Baltimore Teacher Found Not Criminally Responsible for Shooting Officer During Crisis

In a case that has drawn significant attention, Andrew Britt, a 28-year-old former teacher from Windsor Hills, was found not criminally responsible for shooting a Baltimore County police officer during a mental health crisis. The incident occurred on March 13, 2025, in the parking lot of the Wilkens precinct in Catonsville.

Britt shot Officer Jordan Riddick and attempted to kill Officer Brian Smith while also assaulting Officer Jesse Wright. During the proceedings at Baltimore County Circuit Court, Britt expressed deep remorse for his actions, acknowledging the trauma he caused.

On Monday, Circuit Judge Dennis Robinson Jr. ruled that Britt would be indefinitely committed to the Maryland Department of Health for inpatient treatment. The judge determined that Britt was unable to appreciate the nature of his actions or adhere to the law due to his mental health condition.

Prosecutors did not contest a report from Dr. Stephen Siebert, a forensic psychiatrist, who concluded that Britt was not criminally responsible for the shooting. Assistant State’s Attorney Katherine Turnbull indicated that extensive discussions took place with Siebert before arriving at this conclusion.

During the court session, surveillance footage and body camera videos of the incident were presented. It was revealed that Britt had visited the precinct to inquire about expunging a prior conviction related to a loaded handgun. He reported feeling unwell after stopping for lunch on the day of the shooting.

Both Officers Riddick and Wright were present in court but chose not to speak. Captain Michael Fruhling, the precinct's commanding officer, described the incident as tragic and noted the emotional scars it has left on the officers involved. He emphasized that the precinct is meant to be a safe haven for officers.

Britt's attorney, Jessica Rubin, acknowledged the impact of mental health issues and expressed gratitude for the police response during the crisis. Britt’s father, Paul Britt, defended his son’s character, stating that Andrew is a dedicated community member and expressed hope for the recovery of the injured officers.

Reported by HarborBeat based on The Baltimore Banner (source).