Baltimore, Maryland – An armed man in his 30s was shot and killed during a foot chase with Baltimore police officers Tuesday evening in the Belair-Edison neighborhood. Authorities say the encounter began outside a liquor store and ended when officers opened fire after the suspect allegedly continued running with a gun in his hand.
The man was transported to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Police officials say the shooting remains under investigation.
Incident Overview
According to Baltimore Police Commissioner Richard Worley, officers assigned to the department’s Group Violence Unit were patrolling the 3600 block of Belair Road when they observed a man they believed to be armed inside a liquor store.
When officers entered the store, they noticed what they described as suspicious movement by the individual and others inside. After the man exited the store, police say he began walking away before suddenly running when approached by an officer.
A foot pursuit followed through the Belair-Edison area.
Foot Chase Leads to Police Shooting
Commissioner Worley said officers repeatedly ordered the man to show his hands. Authorities allege that the suspect had a firearm visible in his hand while running.
“The officers were part of our Group Violence Unit. They are in this area because this is an area where we have a lot of problems — crime, shootings,” Worley said. “They went into the liquor store, and the individual and several other people in the store started to move around a little bit. The officers believed this individual was armed.”
Police say the man continued fleeing and eventually ran directly toward a second officer.
“As he came out of the store, he started walking away from the officer. One of the officers came up behind him and tried to stop him, at which point he took off running, and a foot pursuit ensued,” Worley added.
According to officials, when the suspect came face-to-face with the second officer, he was shot.
Police confirmed that at least 16 rounds were fired during the incident. It remains unclear whether the suspect discharged his weapon.
Key Facts in the Case
- Incident occurred on Tuesday evening
- Location: 3600 block of Belair Road, Belair-Edison neighborhood
- Suspect: Man believed to be in his 30s
- Officers involved: Three officers
- Rounds fired: At least 16
- Status: Suspect pronounced dead at hospital
- Administrative action: Three officers placed on paid administrative leave
Police also stated that the man was legally prohibited from possessing a firearm and had what they described as a lengthy arrest record.
Officers Placed on Administrative Leave
As is standard procedure in officer-involved shootings, the three officers present during the encounter have been placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.
“This is another incident where if they had simply complied and put the gun down, we wouldn’t be having this press conference,” Worley said. “The individual continued running with the gun in his hand, and he came face-to-face with a second officer, at which point he was shot.”
An independent review will determine whether the use of force complied with department policy.
Separate Shooting Incident Involving State Trooper
The fatal police shooting occurred hours after a separate violent incident in Baltimore earlier Tuesday morning.
Around 3:30 a.m., a Maryland State Police trooper attempted to conduct a traffic stop at the intersection of Belle Avenue and Milford Avenue. Officials say shots were fired from inside the vehicle as the trooper approached.
The trooper did not return fire but suffered powder burns due to the close range of the gunfire. He was not struck by bullets.
Police are searching for a gray Infiniti with:
- Partial license plates
- Dark tinted windows
- Front-end damage
- Broken headlights
In a joint statement, Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott and Commissioner Worley condemned the attack.
“This senseless act of violence against a law enforcement officer endangered both the trooper and our entire city. It will not be tolerated, and we will not rest until the person responsible is held accountable.”
Ongoing Investigation and Public Safety Concerns
Investigators are reviewing body camera footage, surveillance video, and ballistic evidence related to the officer-involved shooting. Authorities have not yet released the identity of the deceased man.
Police officials emphasized that the Belair-Edison neighborhood has experienced ongoing issues with gun violence, which is why specialized units were assigned to patrol the area.
Community members are encouraged to cooperate with investigators as the department continues reviewing the circumstances that led to the fatal shooting.
Conclusion
The East Baltimore incident marks another tense and deadly encounter between police and an armed suspect, raising renewed concerns about gun violence in the city. With investigations underway in both Tuesday incidents, officials say accountability and transparency remain priorities.
Anyone with information regarding the early morning shooting involving the state trooper is urged to contact authorities at 410-653-4200.
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