Baltimore Co. Police Chief: Amy Caprio 'The Type Of Officer You Want To Hire'
PERRY HALL, Md. (WJZ/AP) -- The Baltimore County Police officer killed Monday while investigating a suspicious vehicle has been identified as 29-year-old Amy Caprio.
Baltimore County Police Chief Terrence Sheridan said Caprio died from major head trauma to the head and torso. Her death was ruled a homicide by the medical examiner.
She was a nearly four-year-veteran assigned to the Parkville precinct.
Initially, it was reported she was shot while witnesses said she may have been run over by a black Jeep driven by the suspect.
Sixteen-year-old Dawnta Anthony Harris was arrested and charged as an adult in Caprio's death. WJZ has learned that the three other suspects at-large were taken into custody Tuesday morning.
"He did an act which impacts a family, a spouse, brothers and sisters in law enforcement--the institution," Chief Sheridan said. "That young man has done an act in which he should be treated as an adult."
Records show Harris was arrested four times before for car thefts.
RELATED: Records: Teen Suspect Said He 'Drove At' Maryland Officer
Police say Caprio responded to a report of a suspicious black Jeep and burglary and followed the vehicle into Linwen Way in Perry Hall and got out of her car and asked the driver to step out. The suspect, Harris, opened the door then closed it and proceeded to drive over Caprio.
Caprio was taken to Franklin Square Hospital where she was pronounced dead.
Witnesses described Harris to officers, who was quickly arrested on Belair Road.
The other three suspects, who have not been charged at this time, were arrested in Baltimore City in their homes.
Investigators say the other three juvenile suspects were burglarizing a home during the incident and may have escaped scene via public transportation or potentially called someone to pick them up.
Authorities say they used a rock to break a window and break into a home.
Officers didn't find a gun on any of the suspects but they did report that a gun was stolen in a burglary at North Winn Road, two miles from where the initial incident took place.
Police believe all four suspects were acting together in the burglaries.
"I'm just still grieving. I don't know, I just feel like talking about it is definitely better than not," Tim Caprio said on 105.7 The Fan's Big Bad Morning Show Tuesday morning.
Caprio spoke to host Ed Norris, a former Baltimore City police commissioner.
RELATED: 'I'm Just Still Grieving' | Husband Of Slain Baltimore County Police Officer Amy Caprio
Chief Sheridan said Caprio received her bachelor's degree from Towson University and was "the type of officer you want to hire."
Gov. Larry Hogan announced Tuesday the U.S. and state flags in Maryland fly at half-staff in honor of Amy Caprio.
"We are heartbroken to lose a member of Maryland's law enforcement family, Police Officer First Class Amy Caprio. Officer Caprio was a dedicated member of the Baltimore County Police Department who was soon to celebrate four years with the force. She bravely made the ultimate sacrifice for the safety and security of our citizens, and we all owe her a debt of gratitude for her selfless service.
"We continue to keep Officer Caprio's family, loved ones, her brothers and sisters in blue, and the entire Baltimore County community in our prayers. U.S. and Maryland flags will fly at half-staff through the day she is laid to rest in tribute to her service and sacrifice.
"The State of Maryland continues to stand beside Baltimore County as they work to bring those responsible for Officer Caprio's death to justice."
Tony Kurek told WJZ's Mike Schuh his adult son was outside in the family's yard Monday afternoon in the northeast Baltimore County community when the son saw the officer with her gun drawn, confronting the occupants of a Jeep.
"The next thing he heard was a pop, and he saw the Jeep take off and run right over her," said Kurek. The car left skid marks behind, he said, leaving the officer down and bleeding.
Logan Kurek, who is a volunteer firefighter, said he heard his younger brother "frantically screaming" and ran outside to perform CPR.
Events began unfolding Monday afternoon in the leafy neighborhood of single-family homes. It was then that Kurek's neighbor, Dahle Amendt, said he had just settled into his recliner for a rest when he heard a woman's voice outside his house.
"I heard, 'Get out of the car!' 'Get out of the car!' Get out of the car!' at least three times, and then a pop," Amendt said.
Amendt said his wife also ran outside and tried to revive the officer.
"This is a shock. It's a quiet community. It's just so sad," Amendt said.
Investigators urged residents in a sizable swath of Perry Hall to stay hunkered down inside their homes and lock all doors and windows as officers search the community fringed with woodlands. Three elementary schools were kept on alert status for hours, with students and teachers told to stay in their school buildings as police continued a search for the suspects. By Monday evening, parents were allowed to come to the schools to pick up their youngsters.
School officials tweeted overnight that all Baltimore County public schools would open on time Tuesday.
Funeral arrangements were also announced Tuesday during the press conference.
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