Armed man killed by Baltimore police after reports of attempted suicide near hospital

An armed man was shot and killed by Baltimore police after they responded to multiple reports of an attempted suicide near Ascension Saint Agnes Hospital on Thursday. 

Police were called to the 800 block of S. Caton Avenue around 9:15 a.m., where a man with a revolver began firing shots at arriving officers.

One of the officers stopped and exited their vehicle to de-escalate the situation, according to Deputy Police Commissioner Kevin Jones. 

The officer gave the man verbal commands; however, police said he continued to fire shots at officers. 

Two officers then returned fire, hitting the man, identified as 46-year-old Louis Jackson. He was taken to Ascension St Agnes Hospital across the street from the scene, where he was pronounced dead, police said. 

At the scene, a police cruiser's back window appeared to be shot out and a knife was on the ground.

"A gentleman on the corner was just shooting at me, looks like he got a book bag on," an officer said over dispatch audio. "Keeping my distance. Looks like he had a small revolver."

A weapon was recovered on the scene. Police are working to determine who made the 911 calls and what led to the incident, Jones said. 

The two officers involved in the shooting are identified as 13-year veteran Sharod Watson and three-year veteran Mark Rankine.

The Maryland Attorney General's Independent Investigations Division (IID) is leading the investigation, as required by state law for any shooting by police that results in a person's death or injuries likely to lead to death.

If you or someone you know is in emotional distress or a suicidal crisis, you can reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988. You can also chat with the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline here.

Witness shares video of police response

A witness shared a video with CBS News Baltimore, showing officers running down Wilkens Avenue. One officer grabbed a long gun from his trunk.

Witnesses saw the armed man run down the road toward Ascension Saint Agnes Hospital.

"And all I seen was the guy run down towards the hospital, and we hit it, seemed like he ran with a gun," said witness Ace William. "They had a little brief shootout, probably like all the other like 10 shots."

Neighbors said the shooting in the middle of the morning was concerning, especially at such a busy intersection. There's a hospital, a police station, an elementary school, and a middle school nearby.

"It's just too much going on with the city," witness Big Mook said. "Plus, like, law enforcement, like we got to tighten up."

Police shootings in Baltimore

There have been at least four shootings involving Baltimore Police so far this year. 

During the most recent case on March 10, an officer was shot and a suspect was killed during a hostage standoff at a home in the Glen neighborhood. The suspect was identified as 33-year-old Jonathan Ingram, and the involved officer was identified as 15-year veteran Brian Loiero. The officer was treated at Shock Trauma for a gunshot wound to his leg, officials said. 

In February, a man was shot and killed during a police chase in East Baltimore. Police said 37-year-old Dwight Hawkins ran when an officer approached him outside of a liquor store after they believed he had a gun. 

Officers said Hawkins was prohibited from owning a gun and was known to police for his long arrest record. 

Each non-fatal or fatal police involved incident is investigated by the Maryland Attorney General's Independent Investigations Division (IID). It is currently unclear if the IID is involved in Thursday's incident.