Off-duty Baltimore Officer Injured While Protecting Woman from Intoxicated Man

An off-duty Baltimore Police officer was shot on Saturday night while defending a woman from unwanted advances in Clifton Park, according to court documents.

The suspect, identified as 44-year-old Christopher Leigh, was arrested in Baltimore County the following day. He faces multiple charges, including attempted murder, assault, and several firearms violations, as well as charges related to endangering public safety while intoxicated.

Leigh, a Dundalk resident, was ordered to be held without bond by Baltimore District Judge Lydie Glynn during a court appearance on Monday. As of now, he does not have an attorney listed in court records.

According to the police report, Officer Joshua Moody was attending a family gathering in Clifton Park when the incident occurred around 7:30 p.m. A family friend of Moody attempted to cross the street when Leigh allegedly approached her in a Ford Escape SUV and made unwanted advances.

Witnesses described Leigh as visibly intoxicated and noted that he refused to leave the woman alone. Moody, who was off-duty and in civilian clothes, intervened and instructed Leigh to back off. After Leigh returned to his vehicle, Moody began escorting the woman across the street to ensure her safety.

As they were crossing, Leigh allegedly backed his vehicle into the woman. Moody approached Leigh's car, at which point Leigh fired a handgun, striking Moody in the arm.

Moody was taken to Johns Hopkins Hospital for treatment of what police described as a graze wound. He was released later that same day and reported feeling well, with only minor bruising.

The woman involved was also taken to Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.

Eyewitnesses were able to identify Leigh from a photo array, and detectives confirmed that the vehicle used in the incident was registered to him. Leigh is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on August 11.

Moody expressed his feelings about the incident, stating, "People just suck. That's all."

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