Accident – Death – Obituary News :

Four Baltimore Police Officers Involved in Fatal Shooting of Armed Suspect

Body-camera footage reveals officers fired three dozen shots at fleeing suspect

BALTIMORE — Newly released body-camera recordings from the Baltimore Police Department have revealed that four police officers fired a total of thirty-six shots at a man who pointed a gun at them while attempting to flee. The incident occurred on November 7, during a proactive patrol by the District Action Team, a specialized squad focused on seizing illegal firearms, in southwest Baltimore. The suspect, identified as Hunter Jessup, 27, was fatally shot during the short foot pursuit. The videos depict Jessup appearing to fire his own weapon before being struck by gunfire and collapsing on the sidewalk.

Concerns have been raised by community members in the aftermath of the shooting, questioning the necessity of Jessup’s death. They allege that officers on the specialized gun squads of the Baltimore Police Department have a reputation for displaying overly aggressive behavior and escalating peaceful encounters in the neighborhood. However, Baltimore Police Commissioner Richard Worley has commended the officers’ actions, stating that they were essential in protecting public safety in an area plagued by violence. Commissioner Worley emphasized that the officers repeatedly instructed Jessup to drop his weapon before resorting to gunfire.

During a press conference held at Baltimore police headquarters, officials played the recordings and presented the department’s perspective on the incident. They revealed that it is yet to be determined how many times Jessup was shot. The entire interaction, from the initial encounter to the fatal shots, lasted less than a minute.

The body-camera footage shows police officers engaging with two men on a street corner. Upon noticing a “bulge” in Jessup’s clothing, officers requested that the men lift their shirts. In response, Jessup fled on foot. The officers pursued him on foot and by car, eventually cornering him on a sidewalk. Despite the presence of a gun in Jessup’s right hand, one officer attempted to tackle him. However, Jessup managed to evade the officer’s grasp. Meanwhile, other officers pointed their weapons at Jessup, repeatedly commanding him to “get on the ground” and “drop the gun.” Ignoring the orders, Jessup turned towards one of the officers, prompting all four officers to open fire.

Officials highlighted a slowed-down version of the video during the press conference, which appeared to show a bullet from Jessup’s gun striking a parked car. They further stated that they are currently processing evidence to determine the number of shots fired by Jessup.

Prior to the release of the body-camera footage to the public, Jessup’s family members had the opportunity to view the recordings. However, no comments were provided by any of Jessup’s possible relatives when reached by phone.

It was revealed that Jessup was under correctional supervision for a separate case in a different jurisdiction. The Baltimore Police Department did not disclose any additional details about the case.

The Maryland Attorney General’s Office is currently investigating the incident. Following a state law change that took effect on October 1, the statewide office will decide whether to bring criminal charges against any of the officers involved. Previously, such decisions were made by local prosecutors.

The scrutiny surrounding Baltimore’s District Action Teams has intensified, particularly in light of a similar police shooting earlier this year. In that incident, a teenager was left in critical condition less than a mile away from where Jessup was shot. The police had attempted to stop the teenager, suspecting that he was armed, and an officer shot him from behind as he fled with a gun in hand.

The creation of the District Action Teams by department leaders was a response to the disbandment of the Gun Trace Task Force. The force faced federal racketeering charges, accusing multiple officers of engaging in systematic robbery using illegal searches and planted evidence. This corruption scandal prompted widespread reform efforts within the Baltimore Police Department, which has a history of problematic interactions with the city’s Black community.

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