A man is in critical condition after Baltimore County detectives shot him Wednesday afternoon outside Southwest Baltimore Police Station after they said they believed he had a weapon.
Baltimore County Police spokeswoman Joy Stewart said detectives were conducting an investigation originating in the county. The detectives found the man believed to be the suspect in that case in the city.
Stewart said the man exited a vehicle and “displayed what appeared to be a weapon.”
That’s when at least one officer fired their gun and wounded him, she said.
The man was taken to an area hospital where he is listed in critical condition.
The spokeswoman, saying it was “early in the investigation,” declined to say the man’s age, release whether a gun was recovered, or explain how officers ended up directly outside the police station at 424 Font Hill Ave. in the Gwynns Falls neighborhood.
William Feldman was standing in the street talking with his friends when he noticed a Baltimore County patrol car try to pull over a truck.
The truck stopped in front of the police station, Feldman said, and at least three officers started shouting, “Put your hands up.”
Feldman said the individual got out of the car and officers then shouted, “Drop your weapon.”
The 55-year-old said he heard officers shout the commands at least three times.
Feldman said he saw the man turn toward officers and then he heard five shots.
Having lived in the neighborhood for 38 years, Feldman said an incident like this is “unbelievable.”
“This is supposed to be a safe neighborhood, especially living next to a police station,” he said. “It has me rattled. It’s always been safe until today.”