Another officer shot as manhunt for suspect in state of crisis continues in Cockeysville
BALTIMORE -- Law enforcement officers have tracked down a suspect in a violent manhunt that started out in Cockeysville moved to Fallston, according to authorities.
Friday morning Harford County Schools announced several closures in the area due to the police activity and shelter in place order. The impacted schools are: Youth's Benefit Elementary, Fallston Middle, and Fallston High schools.
This means that students will not be able to utilize the Fallston high bus depot for magnet programs. Students who live in the shelter in place order and attend Harford Tech, John Archer, and regional programs for special education, will not receive bus service as buses are not able to travel into the area.
David Emory Linthicum, 24, who allegedly shot an officer on Wednesday, reportedly shot another officer and fled in a stolen police vehicle on Thursday.
WJZ has learned from sources that the detective shot by Linthicum was working Warren Road near Bosley Road in reference to the manhunt.
Sources said the detective saw a person, who turned out to be Linthicum, walking on the road and approached him. Linthicum pulled out a rifle and began shooting at the detective. He shot the second officer multiple times and left him with serious injuries, according to authorities. That officer was flown by helicopter to Shock Trauma.
The detective returned fire, but Linthicum was able to get into the detective's car and flee the scene.
Police responded and there were able to located the car and the suspect. Linthicum then went in to Harford County where he left the car, and ran in to the woods in Fallston, where he was eventually arrested.
The injured detective sustained injuries to his torso and extremities, Shock Trauma Chief Dr. Thomas Scalea said. The detective is on life support and will need a significant amount of reconstruction, Scalea said at a press conference outside of the hospital.
Following the shooting and cross-county police pursuit, Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski headed to Shock Trauma to meet with Baltimore County's interim police chief Dennis Delp.
"I think you need to look no further than just down the street if you want to see what family looks like," Olszewski said of the dozens of officers gathered outside Shock Trauma.
Linthicum eventually bailed out of the stolen vehicle in the area of Fallston Village Center, prompting the Harford County Sheriff's Office to ask people in the area of Route 152. Route 1, Old Joppa Road, and Milton Avenue to shelter in place.
At an early press conference in Harford County, Sheriff Jeff Gahler said that he hoped for a peaceful ending but noted that Linthicum was armed with at least one rifle.
"We have the individual contained. It will be resolved here. There is no threat to the community," Gahler said.
He said he hoped that officers would not have to shoot him.
The choice is up to Linthicum, Gahler said.
Amid the melee, an FBI Task Force and members of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives joined the investigation. The Maryland State Police were present at the manhunt, too, Gahler said.
Other agencies have been contacted for their resources, he said.
"I know they've been in contact with the Delaware State Police for a specific piece of equipment that is being brought to the scene," Gahler said.
Officers are still out there trying to apprehend a suspect who has "wreaked way too much havoc" in our community, Olszewski said during the press conference in Baltimore.
The manhunt could go on for hours, Gahler said. It may even interfere with business operations and create traffic in the area, he said.
"That is a major commuting route, Route 1 there in front, if it should go into the morning hours, but traffic jams are the least of my worries," he said. "Getting this individual into custody is at the top of our list."
The pace of the pursuit changed just before 7 p.m. on Thursday. That's when Baltimore County police ordered some residents. The search for Linthicum began on Wednesday afternoon after he reportedly injured the first officer.
Neighbor Nick Buscemi shared videos with WJZ Investigator Mike Hellgren of police searching the area around his home earlier in the day, including a storage shed.
"It's very unsettling," Buscemi said. "It doesn't feel like a safe neighborhood, unfortunately."
Buscemi lives on Powers Avenue, which is where the incident began.
The wooded subdivision a mile from York Road provides plenty of places to hide.
"There are wells where you can hide in old abandon cars," Buscemi said.
Linthicum stands 5'7 and weighs 165 pounds.
Police updated a description of his clothing Thursday afternoon. Now, they say they believe he is wearing dark-colored shorts and a dark colored short sleeve shirt.
Sources told WJZ police were called to Linthicum's home after reports that he was suicidal. He shot a responding officer multiple times, according to authorities.
That officer has since been released from the hospital.
"He is at home recovering and is in good spirits," Baltimore County police spokesperson Joy Stewart said.
Six schools in the area were closed out of an abundance of caution and after school and recreational activities were canceled at more than a dozen facilities in the area.
Police declined to provide information on Linthicum and what weapons he may have, just calling him "armed and dangerous."
SWAT teams have been in the area throughout the day and night.
Linthicum's home has bullet holes in the windows—a sign of the chaos that unfolded and still has neighbors on edge.
"We are asking people remain inside," Stewart said. "If you don't have a reason to be outside, we are asking people remain in their home is where it is safe."
Hellgren reports police carried out evidence, including a large plastic storage bin from the home just after 4:30 on Thursday.
About a half hour later, they ordered Hellgren and other reporters and photographers to leave the area for their safety.
It is the same house where an unrelated tragedy happened in 2008. It is the site where15-year-old Nicholas Browning murdered his parents and siblings. Browning remains in prison for that crime.
After the latest tragedy, neighbors hope to again get peace back in their community.
"Once I find this guy, it will be a good relief," Buscemi said.
Metro Crime Stoppers is offering a reward for tips in the case.
