Two female police officers were shot early Monday night while patrolling in the Southeastern District in their patrol car.
The officers? injuries were described as non-life threatening.
Officer Karen Brzowski and Officer Loretta Francis were shot between 6 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. as they drove north on Port Street approaching Orleans Street. Several gunshots rang out, striking the right side of the officer and the car, according to Acting Police Commissioner Frederick Bealefeld.
Brzowski and Francis were stuck once by bullets, Bealefeld said at a news conference Monday night at University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center, where the officers were being treated.
Francis was struck in the abdomen, and Brzowski, who was driving the car, was hit in the arm.
Bealefeld described Francis? wound as a grazing.
Francis, 34, is a 14-year veteran and Brzowski, 29, has been on the job for five years, police said in a statement.
Bealefeld said the officers showed “incredible bravery.”
“Officer Brzowsky had the presence of mind to maintain control of the vehicle and drive out of danger, radioing for help,” police said in the statement.
Brzowski was in serious but stable condition and was scheduled for surgery Monday night, according to police spokesman Sterling Clifford. Francis was in fair and stable condition, he said.
Mayor Sheila Dixon, who joined Bealefeld at the news conference, said that she met with both officers and that they were in high spirits.
“It?s just phenomenal how they are dealing with this,” she said.
Dozens of police officers and two police helicopters converged on the surrounding neighborhoods searching for suspects.
“We have dedicated every available resource to identify the individual or individuals responsible,” said Bealefeld, who pledged to make an arrest shortly.
Bealefeld said police did not have a motive for the shooting.
Dixon said: “We?ve got to get these violent offenders off the streets.”
Anyone with information is encouraged to call Baltimore police at 410-396-2100. Callers wanting to remain anonymous should call Metro Crime Stoppers at 1-866-7-LOCK-UP. If the information leads to an arrest and indictment, tipsters could be eligible for a reward of up to $2000.00.
