Baltimore County police officer and suspect injured in shootout in Pikesville
A Baltimore County police officer is expected to recover after being shot in Pikesville on Sunday morning, according to Baltimore County Police Chief Robert McCullough.
Officers responded around 8:50 a.m. to the area of Milford Mill Road and Scotts Level Road for reports of a suspicious person. The person fired shots at approaching officers, who returned fire and struck the suspect.
The officer, who has not been identified, was taken to Shock Trauma, where he is in critical but stable condition. The suspect was taken to a hospital, where he is expected to survive. A bystander was also shot and is stable at a hospital.
"This case highlights how dangerous policing is in America these days," McCullough said. "It's unpredictable, and it highlights the dangers that our men and women in law enforcement face every day."
Baltimore County Executive Kathy Klausmeier said the officer was awake and talking.
"Someone said he's even been having a couple of jokes here and there," Klausmeier added. "I wish him well."
"This incident is another jarring reminder of the risks our officers take every day and the extraordinary work performed by the first responders and healthcare professionals who answer the call in moments of crisis," Baltimore County Councilman Julian Jones added. "Please join me in keeping this officer and his family in your prayers as he continues his recovery."
"This is 100% senseless"
Police responded to the area of a park for a possible indecent exposure call.
McCullough said that when officers approached the subject, shots were fired toward the officers, striking one of the officers. It is unclear how many officers returned fire and struck the person.
"We do know that we had an armed subject who is in a public area, a public park, who is suspicious," McCullough said. "Police officers approached him, and he chose to make a poor decision and started shooting at our officers."
Police said a bystander was also shot, but it is not known if the gunfire was by officers or the armed suspect.
"This was an awful, awful thing that happened today," Klausmeier said. "It is very unacceptable and I hope we don't have things like this anymore."
Baltimore County Councilman Izzy Patoka said this police shooting hits close to home.
"I represent the area but I also live about a half mile down Milford Mill Road, from where this incident occurred," Patoka said. "This is an attack on one of our law enforcement officers. It is absolutely unacceptable and the community will rally behind our police officers. This is 100% senseless, and I am proud of the response of our officers and community."