Baltimore County sheriff’s deputies shot a man in the stomach Thursday in Lansdowne after he answered his door holding a gun, police said.
Police spokesman Bill Toohey said four deputies were serving a civil warrant at the man’s house in the 2200 block of Gaylawn Drive around 2:30p.m., when they saw the gun and opened fire.
Toohey said he did not know how many times the man was shot – or how many shots were fired.
Bob Mondo, 63 – a neighbor who lives across the street from where the shooting happened – said he heard four gunshots, though he acknowledged some of the sounds could have been echoes.
“I heard four bangs,” he said. “I thought they were firecrackers. My cat jumped up. We don’t usually hear gunshots around here.”
Mondo and several other neighbors who gathered at the scene said they did not know the man who was shot.
“I see him cutting his grass,” he said. “He lives by himself and he stays by himself.”
Neighbors described the street of single-homes as quiet and safe. One said he’d never even seen the police before on the street.
“This stuff normally doesn’t happen around here,” said Betty McDowell, who added the 2200 block is a great spot to take kids on Halloween.
“They have the best candy,” she said.
The man, who has not been identified, was transported to the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center, where his condition was unknown.
Toohey said sheriff’s deputies receive the same firearm training as police. He said Baltimore County police are investigating the shooting.
