A Baltimore police officer shot a drug suspect last night during a chaotic scene in a wooded area of West Baltimore. It was the 31st time city officers have shot someone this year — more than double last year?s total of 15 police-involved shootings
The incident began around 7 p.m. when Northwest District narcotics detectives observed a van involved in a drug deal and pulled the vehicle over in the 4100 block of Garrison Avenue.
They began to question the driver, who was cooperative, but the owner of the van, a 37-year-old mansitting the passenger seat, became agitated, according to Agent Donny Moses, a police spokesman.
Suddenly, the passenger pulled up his sweatshirt revealing a silver handgun, jumped over the driver and out of the vehicle through the driver?s side window, Moses said.
He ran to a nearby wooded area, still armed with the gun, police said.
Officers called in backup and began a heavy search of the woods.
While conducting the search, Officer Jonathan Riker, 28, a three-year veteran of the force, saw the suspect “jump out of a hiding place” and “lunge at” the officer, Moses said.
Riker shot the suspect in the left arm, causing the man to require treatment at Sinai Hospital.
Charges are pending against both the driver and passenger of the van.
Moses would not release the suspect?s name until he is formally charged, but said he has been arrested 20 times in the past.
