Suspect in custody after officer shot in East Baltimore

BALTIMORE -- Baltimore City police said one of their officers was shot in the leg while he was responding to a call Friday.

The incident started around noon Friday a home on the 1100 block of E. Chase Street, when someone inside a home called for help because another person was experiencing a behavioral crisis, police said.

A person in the home had a protective order against another person, but officials would not give additional details about who exactly called 911.

Deputy Commissioner Richard Worley explained to the media how the events unfolded.

"Upon arrival, they spoke to a family member who produced a protective order for the individual," said Worley. "Officers confirmed a protective order - entered the house - as they entered the house the individual attempted to elude the officers. A struggle ensued as he tried to take him into custody. During the struggle he was able to get to a weapon that he had on his person and shot one of our officers in the leg."

The unidentified officer was heard over radio communications frantically alerting others that he'd been shot.

"I'm hit. I'm hit, I'm hit, signal 13," the officer yelled.

"Get a unit, get a medic here ASAP he's bleeding from his leg pretty bad," another officer was heard saying over the radio.

The department said an officer trainee was also present, and they applied a tourniquet to the officer's wound and that mostly like helped to save the officer's life.

Chopper 13 was over the scene in East Baltimore as the young man, who is 19-years-old, was taken into custody.

Residents were watching as police walked him up the block.

"I called the neighbor and she said that the young man went off," one resident told the media.

Others on the block said they know the young man and that his mother has been trying to get him help.

Police said no charges have been filed at this time and the 19-year-old is undergoing a psychiatric evaluation.

"The suspect was taken into custody without any officers firing any shots and without any injuries to officers. Another example of officers doing a fabulous job in a very dangerous situation with an individual with a weapon," said Worley.

In a statement released Friday night, Mayor Brandon Scott thanked the officers for rendering aid and taking the teenager into custody.

"Behavioral health challenges are a very real thing for our community, and it is imperative for services to be made available for those who need them most," he said.