Hunter Jessup Killed in Baltimore Police Shooting

Accident – Death – Obituary News : New Details Emerge in Baltimore Police Shooting Incident

By LEA SKENE – Associated Press

BALTIMORE (AP) — In a shocking turn of events, new details have emerged in the recent Baltimore police shooting incident, shedding light on the actions of the officers involved. Body-camera recordings released by the department on Friday reveal that four Baltimore police officers opened fire on a man who pointed a gun at them while trying to flee.

According to officials, the officers discharged a total of three dozen shots during the encounter. The incident occurred on November 7 when officers from a District Action Team were proactively patrolling in southwest Baltimore. The deceased individual has since been identified as Hunter Jessup, a 27-year-old man. The body-camera videos show Jessup appearing to fire his own weapon before being struck by gunfire and falling to the sidewalk.

The exact number of times Jessup was shot has not yet been determined, as authorities are still processing the evidence. However, community members in the neighborhood where the shooting took place have raised concerns about the necessity of the officers’ actions. Some have accused the specialized gun squads of displaying overly aggressive behavior and escalating otherwise peaceful encounters.

In defense of the officers, Baltimore Police Commissioner Richard Worley commended their actions, stating that they were protecting public safety in an area plagued by violence. He also emphasized that the officers repeatedly instructed Jessup to drop his weapon before resorting to lethal force.

While the investigation is ongoing, Worley explained that officers are trained to “shoot to incapacitate” when faced with a perceived threat of deadly violence. This often means continuing to shoot until the threat has been neutralized. In this case, the officers fired a total of 36 shots at Jessup.

The entire interaction lasted less than a minute and was captured on the officers’ body cameras. The videos show the police engaging with two individuals on a street corner. Upon noticing a suspicious bulge in Jessup’s clothing, the officers requested that the men lift their shirts. Jessup then took off running, prompting a pursuit on foot and by car. The situation escalated when Jessup turned towards one of the officers, prompting all four to open fire.

During a press conference, officials presented a slowed-down version of the video, which appeared to show a bullet from Jessup’s gun striking a parked car. However, the exact number of shots fired by Jessup is still being determined.

Before the recordings were made public, Jessup’s family members were given the opportunity to view the footage from the officers’ body cameras. The Maryland Attorney General’s Office is currently conducting an investigation into the incident. Under a recent state law change, the decision to bring criminal charges against the officers involved now falls under the jurisdiction of the statewide office.

This incident has once again brought scrutiny to Baltimore’s District Action Teams, which have faced criticism in the past. Earlier this year, another police shooting occurred under similar circumstances, leaving a teenager critically injured. The creation of the DAT squads came as a response to the disbandment of the Gun Trace Task Force, which was embroiled in a corruption scandal involving illegal searches and planted evidence.

As the investigation continues, the Baltimore Police Department remains committed to patrolling the area to deter and prevent violent crime. The department acknowledges the need for reform and aims to improve its interactions with the city’s Black community, which has historically experienced problematic encounters with law enforcement.

Overall, this incident highlights the ongoing challenges faced by police officers in maintaining public safety while balancing the need for de-escalation and accountability. The release of the body-camera recordings provides crucial evidence in assessing the officers’ actions and ensuring transparency in the investigation..