Watch: Baltimore Police Officers Open Fire as Driver Accelerates
What to Know
- Officers responded to suspected narcotics activity and initiated a vehicle pursuit that ended in a dead-end alley.
- The suspect's vehicle reversed and accelerated toward officers, prompting them to discharge their firearms.
- The suspect was struck by gunfire, hospitalized, and later charged with assault and weapons offenses.
BALTIMORE -- The Baltimore Police Department has released body-worn camera footage of a Dec. 16 incident in which officers shot a driver who accelerated toward them during a vehicle pursuit and confrontation.
At about 7:57 p.m., Eastern District detectives monitoring closed-circuit television observed suspected narcotics activity near North Charles Street and East 21st Street, according to a news release issued following the incident.
Members of the Eastern District Action Team were directed to the area and attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a vehicle believed to be involved.
The vehicle fled, leading to a pursuit. Police requested Foxtrot, the department’s helicopter, but it was not in service at the time. The vehicle entered the 500 block of West Lanvale Street and drove into a dead-end alley. Three officers exited their patrol vehicle and approached on foot, issuing verbal commands for the occupants to show their hands.
According to police, the vehicle reversed toward one officer and struck a fence. The vehicle then accelerated again toward the officer, at which point all three officers discharged their firearms.
The passenger, identified as 61-year-old Andrew Brown, fell from the vehicle as it drifted in reverse. The driver, 37-year-old Devin Thomas, exited the vehicle and laid on the ground. Officers placed both men in handcuffs and rendered aid to Thomas, who had been struck by gunfire, until medics arrived. Thomas was transported to an area hospital, treated, and later released.
Thomas was subsequently arrested and charged with assault and dangerous weapon with intent to injure, according to police. A search of the vehicle resulted in the recovery of two firearms and narcotics.
The officers involved are Officer Anthony Bennett, a five-year veteran; Officer Austin Gutridge, a 12-year veteran; and Officer Jacob Redding, a four-year veteran. All are assigned to the Operations Bureau’s Eastern District Action Team.
The Baltimore Police Department’s Special Investigations Response Team is investigating the incident. The department has also activated its Public Release of Critical Incident Recordings Policy.