Judge Dismisses Evidence in West Baltimore Officer-Involved Shooting Case

A recent ruling by a Baltimore City judge has significant implications for an officer-involved shooting case that occurred in West Baltimore last December. Judge Lazette Ringgold-Kirksey determined that police officers employed excessive force during the incident, resulting in the dismissal of evidence and subsequent charges against the suspects.

The shooting took place on December 16, 2025, when detectives observed suspected drug activity through CCTV cameras near North Charles and East 21st Streets. Officers from the Eastern District Action Team were dispatched to investigate and attempted to pull over a vehicle believed to be connected to the narcotics activity.

However, the vehicle fled, prompting a police chase. Although a request was made for aerial support from BPD's helicopter unit, it was unavailable at the time. The pursuit ended when the vehicle entered a dead-end alley on the 500 block of West Lanvale Street.

As officers approached the vehicle on foot, they issued commands for the occupants to show their hands. According to police, the vehicle abruptly reversed towards an officer and collided with a fence. It then accelerated again in the direction of the officers, at which point all three officers discharged their weapons.

The officers involved were identified as Officer Anthony Bennett, Officer Austin Gutridge, and Officer Jacob Redding. The suspects, 61-year-old Andrew Brown and 37-year-old Devin Thomas, were apprehended after the incident. Brown, who was a passenger, fell from the vehicle as it reversed, while Thomas exited the vehicle and lay on the ground.

Medics transported Thomas to a local hospital after he was shot, and he has since been released. A search of the vehicle revealed two firearms and narcotics.

Following the judge's ruling on July 15, 2026, the Baltimore City State's Attorney's Office was forced to dismiss charges against both Brown and Thomas, who are reportedly known repeat offenders. State's Attorney Ivan Bates expressed his disagreement with the judge's decision in a statement.

Reported by HarborBeat based on WBFF (source).