Officer Shoots Suspect Who Escaped District Court & Tried To Run Him Down
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- A city officer shot a suspect outside of the District Courthouse in Northwest Baltimore Monday.
Derek Valcourt explains the officer opened fire as the suspect was trying to make his getaway.
It all happened in the middle of the day. Police say the suspect tried to run over the officer with his car, placing the officer in fear of his life, so the officer fired at least three shots.
Officers swarmed to the District Courthouse parking lot on Wabash Avenue around 11 a.m. Monday. Bullet casings sit on the ground marked as evidence.
Police say Tavon Williams, 25, had come to the courthouse for a separate matter and when officers realized he had an outstanding warrant for failing to appear in court for a traffic violation, he was placed under arrest and put in handcuffs.
Police say the suspect asked to use the bathroom. Officers undid his handcuffs and that's when the chase began. The suspect ran out the front door and into the parking lot.
"We are now being told that the suspect jumped into a vehicle, backed up and tried to run the officer over, at which time the officer fired at least three rounds, striking the suspect in the arm," said Lt. Col. Garnell Green.
Despite the gunshot wound, Williams still managed to drive away from the scene. The city police helicopter followed the car all the way to the 2300-block of Roslyn Avenue, where Williams was arrested and then taken to the hospital.
The shooting came as a shock to many visiting the courthouse.
"Glad nobody's terribly injured or anything. I think it just speaks to just the state of affairs in the city and the state of the union and training people how to stay cool under pressure, because the officers are here to protect you...not to hurt," said Talbot Johnson.
Williams does have a criminal history, including drug convictions. Police say he has not been released from the hospital. Charges are pending.
The officer involved in the shooting is a 38-year veteran of the force. He has been placed on routine administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.
