Police investigate reports of shots fired in Halethorpe, Baltimore County
BALTIMORE -- Baltimore County officers responded to reports of an active assailant in Halethorpe on Saturday, according to authorities.
Police say this all started after a report of shots fired along Halethorpe Farms Road around 12:30 p.m. For hours, this area was blocked off--leaving the neighboring community on edge.
#BCoPD Officers are currently on the scene of a call for an possible active assailant in the 1900 block of Halethorpe Farms Road. This incident is not confirmed at this time and is still under investigation. Once we have more information we will provide it. pic.twitter.com/66Iw0VuLFb
— Baltimore County Police Department (@BaltCoPolice) November 19, 2022
County officers set up a media staging area on Hollins Ferry Road but did not make public details on the incident, police said.
People who work in the area described to WJZ what they saw.
#UPDATE At this time there are still no confirmed victims in this incident. This is still an active investigation. More information will be provided once it is available. #BCoPD https://t.co/3SZEXHh5Of
— Baltimore County Police Department (@BaltCoPolice) November 19, 2022
Matthew Duggar works at the liquor store across the street.
He says he watched police block off the road and search this building and the surrounding area.
"There was many people here in the parking lot swarming the whole area," Duggar said. "They blocked off the street behind me and they wouldn't let anyone near this whole area."
Additional law enforcement agencies from neighboring counties responded with SWAT teams, armored vehicles, and a helicopter.
Police set up a command post near Hollins Ferry logistics center about a block down the road from the initial scene.
The search lasted about five hours.
Baltimore County officials announced via social media around 3:35 p.m. that officers were beginning to leave the area.
Then, around 5:30 p.m., Baltimore County police revealed the investigation had to do with the discharging of a firearm.
No one was injured as a result of the SWAT situation, authorities said.
"We were all nervous," Duggar said of the police response. "Stuff like that normally doesn't happen in this area often. Everybody was really concerned. Everybody had a lot of questions and nobody was given any solid answers."
Details are still limited at this time. As of right now, police have not released any information about a possible suspect.