Baltimore County police are investigating a county officer's shooting of a man suspected of trying to steal a car in the western part of county this week.
Woodlawn Precinct Officer John Thomas, 41, a 21-year veteran, shot Gregory Brown, 21, on Tuesday. Mr. Brown, who lives with his mother and other relatives in New York City, was in critical condition at Maryland Shock Trauma Center.
He had not been identified until yesterday when Mr. Brown's family arrived from New York City and went to Shock Trauma, police said.
He was suspected of trying to steal a Hyundai Elantra from Catonsville. After an accident, he sneaked into a home in the 5200 block of Dogwood Road, tried to cut his wrist with a knife and ran out, police said. He fell on Dogwood Road in front of an car and jumped on its hood when the driver braked and backed away from him, witnesses said.
Then he ran toward Security Boulevard, and Officer Thomas chased him. The officer shot Mr. Brown, who did not have a weapon, when he "lunged" at the officer, police spokesmen said.
The county homicide unit is handling the investigation.The results will be submitted to the state's attorney's office, said Cpl. Kevin Novak, a spokesman for the county police.
Under routine procedure, an administrative investigation into the shooting also will take place, said Lt. Donald Collins of the Woodlawn Precinct.
Woodlawn Precinct commanders discussed whether to place Officer Thomas on leave, and decided not to, Corporal Novak said.
Mr. Brown's family came to Baltimore after he gave hospital officials their phone number.
"We're totally shocked," said his sister, Patricia Rivers, 35. She said her brother does not have a history of mental problems, but "we started to suspect something was wrong, since in the last couple days he didn't come home," she said.