Detective Fighting For His Life As Officers Continue Search For Suspect

Police are continuing to canvass the area of the shooting. Credit: Robert Lang

Police are continuing to canvass the area of the shooting. Credit: David Collins/WBAL-TV 11

Police Commissioner Kevin Davis, joined by police, city and Shock Trauma officials speaks to the media outside the hospital. Credit: Jim Russ

The Baltimore police homicide detective shot Wednesday afternoon is on life support in the intensive care unit at Shock Trauma as doctors say he suffered a brain injury. There's a massive reward for information as police continued to search for a suspect Thursday.

More on the search for the suspect in @BaltimorePolice pic.twitter.com/ALFbrjViTL — Robert Lang WBAL (@Reporterroblang) November 16, 2017

Dr. Thomas Scalea, physician in chief at Shock Trauma, said the detective is no stranger to him or his colleagues.

"He's a friend, he's a colleague and sadly now he's a patient," Scalea said. "We are doing everything we can to keep him stabilized and take care of the injury to his brain."

The shooting happened at around 4:30 p.m. in the 900 block of Bennett Place.



The officer has not yet been identified, but police say he is an 18-year veteran. At the time, he and his partner were canvassing for information on a case. At some point, they encountered a man who pulled out a gun, shot the officer and fled. All police have to work on is that the suspect is a black man who was wearing a black jacket with a white stripe, Commissioner Kevin Davis said.

"This is going to be a long night for investigators and detectives at the scene of the crime right now," he said.

With federal partners and Metro Crime Stoppers, police have offered a $69,000 reward for information leading to an arrest. Davis called a the suspect a "cold, callous killer." Tips may be called to police, Metro Crime Stoppers, the ATF and the FBI at the numbers below. Tips may also be submitted through the police mobile app.

We need your tips. Reward now up to $69K. Call any of the tiplines or 1-800-CALL-FBI. Please share. @BaltimorePolice @ATFHQ @MCSMaryland pic.twitter.com/ldhIKRbwiY — FBI Baltimore (@FBIBaltimore) November 16, 2017

"This is a dangerous profession," Davis said. "This is a dang job. Police officers know that at any time, they could confront someone who wants to do them harm."

The block where the shooting took place is no stranger to violence. There have been four homicides in the last year on that block alone.

Sources close to @jemillerwbal say the officer shot in west #Baltimore was shot in the head and was gravely wounded @wbalradio pic.twitter.com/2y9WeD1aam — Phil Yacuboski (@WBALPhil) November 15, 2017

His wife and two children, who live out of town, were taken to the hospital by Pennsylvania state troopers. Mayor Catherine Pugh, State's Attorney Marilyn Mosby, gubernatorial special adviser Keiffer Mitchell, police Commissioner Kevin Davis, police command staff and Fraternal Order of Police Lodge No. 3 President Gene Ryan were also among those at the hospital Wednesday night.

PA State Police cruiser just raced to the ambulance bay at Shock Trauma. Info from @wbaltv11 is that officer's next of kin is from Delaware @wbalradio pic.twitter.com/js5oUo3RD1 — Jim Russ WBAL 1090 (@JimWBALTraffic) November 16, 2017

Pugh expressed frustration with the ongoing violence in the city, and said she will talk to Gov. Larry Hogan about further resources for city police.

"Crime has to come to an end in this city," Pugh said. "This kind of violence cannot be tolerated."

May God bless the brave men and women of the @BaltimorePolice and all law enforcement who serve and protect us every single day. — Larry Hogan (@LarryHogan) November 16, 2017

The individual responsible for this heinous crime will be found, charged, and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. @BaltimorePolice has our full support as they track down this violent criminal and bring him to justice. — Larry Hogan (@LarryHogan) November 16, 2017

City Council President Bernard C. "Jack" Young implored anybody who knows the shooter to turn him in, and said they shouldn't need the five-figure reward to motivate them.

"We have to reclaim our city, our streets and neighborhoods and those out there who know the person who committed this act need to step forward," he said.

Phil Yacuboski, Jim Russ and WBAL-TV 11 contributed to this report.