Police ID 3 Officers Who Fired 19 Shots Toward Unarmed Suspect

BALTIMORE COUNTY, Md. (WJZ)--New information  tonight in a police-involved shooting that left an unarmed man dead. Baltimore County police identify the three officers who opened fire killing the suspect.

Officials are only releasing the last names of the officers right now. All of the officers have at least 5 years on the force.

Amy Yensi has the latest.

The desperate screams of a woman inside an Owings Mill condo leads officers to force their way in.

Officials say  police shot and killed the domestic violence suspect, 41-year- old Spencer Lee McCain because he posed a threat to the three officers responding to Hunting Ridge Drive on Thursday.

"Making body movements and arm movements that placed the officers in fear of serious injury or death from a weapon that they feared he possessed and would engage them with," said Baltimore County Police Chief James Johnson.

On Saturday, police identified the officers by last name. Officer Wilkes, a six year veteran, Officer Besaw who has been with the force for eight years and Officer Stargel who joined the department five years ago.

RELATED: Officers Fire 19 Shots In Baltimore Co., Unarmed Suspect Killed

A police union agreement prevents the release of their first names. Documents show police have a history of domestic violence with McCain and the victim identified as Shannon Sulton, responding to the  home at least 17 times since 2012.

Investigators say at least 19 shots were fired and all 3 officers shot at McCain who was unarmed.

"As far as the McCain subject goes, he's showing negative for any firearms," authorities said.

"It takes a shooting for something to happen to finally end the situation of 17 times," one neighbor said.

According to our media partner the Baltimore Sun, the county's NAACP chapter is investigating if officers could have subdued McCain, who is black, without the use of lethal force.

All three officers have been placed on administrative duty during this investigation.

The officers and 2 children who were home at the time were not hurt in the incident.