Officer, bystander injured in Baltimore County shooting

A Baltimore County police officer and a bystander were injured when an armed suspect opened fire on officers at a park near Baltimore, according to police. The suspect was also shot by responding officers.

The shooting happened at about 8:50 a.m. on Sunday near the 900 block of Milford Mill Road and Scotts Level Road in Pikesville, where officers were called for a suspicious subject at a park, Baltimore County Police Chief Robert McCullough said at a briefing.

Officers walked through the area and encountered an armed suspect, who began firing at them. Officers returned fire, striking the suspect.

One officer was shot in the upper body and was taken to the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center. McCullough said the officer is “doing well” and is expected to recover.

Dr. David Efron said the officer was in the ICU in critical but stable condition.

A bystander who was in the park was also struck by gunfire during the exchange, Chief McCullough said. The person was taken to a hospital and was listed in stable condition.

It was not immediately known whether the bystander was struck by gunfire from the suspect or from officers.

The suspect was also taken to a hospital for treatment and is expected to recover. Details about the suspect have not been released.

Asked whether the shooting may have been an ambush, McCullough said investigators had no indication of that.

“We do know we have an armed subject who is in a public area, a public park,” McCullough said. “He is suspicious, police officers approach him, and he chose to make a poor decision to start shooting at our officers.”

“This case highlights how dangerous policing is in America these days, and it’s unpredictable,” McCullough added. “It highlights the danger that our men and women of law enforcement face every day.”