An off-duty Baltimore Police officer was shot on Saturday evening in Clifton Park while attempting to defend a woman from an allegedly intoxicated man, according to court documents.
The suspect, identified as 44-year-old Christopher Leigh from Dundalk, was arrested in Baltimore County on Sunday. He faces multiple charges, including attempted murder, assault, and firearms offenses, as well as endangering the safety of others while intoxicated.
On Monday, Baltimore District Judge Lydie Glynn ordered Leigh to be held without bond. He does not currently have an attorney listed in court records.
Officer Joshua Moody, who was off-duty at the time, was with family in Clifton Park when the incident occurred around 7:30 p.m. Moody described the gathering as a typical family cookout. While the woman, a family friend, attempted to cross the street, Leigh allegedly pulled up next to her in a Ford Escape SUV and began making unwanted advances.
Witnesses reported that Leigh appeared to be visibly intoxicated and refused to leave the woman alone. Moody intervened, instructing Leigh to back off without revealing his identity as a police officer. When Leigh returned to his vehicle, Moody began walking the woman across the street for safety.
As they crossed, Leigh allegedly reversed his vehicle, hitting the woman. Moody approached Leigh's car, at which point Leigh drew a handgun and shot Moody in the arm. Fortunately, Moody was able to react quickly, preventing further injury.
Leigh fled the scene, while bystanders called 911. Moody sustained a graze wound to his left arm and was treated at Johns Hopkins Hospital, where he was released later that day. The woman was also taken to Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center for non-life-threatening injuries.
Eyewitnesses were able to identify Leigh from a photo array provided by detectives, who also confirmed that the Ford Escape was registered to him. A preliminary hearing for Leigh is scheduled for August 11.
Moody expressed his feelings about the incident succinctly, stating, “People just suck.”
Reported by HarborBeat based on The Baltimore Banner (source).
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