Off-duty city officer shoots man in attempted home invasion

Suspect critically injured after being struck 'multiple times,' police say

Justin Fenton

Baltimore Sun

3:24 p.m. EDT, September 14, 2009

A man was shot and critically wounded by an off-duty police officer after an attempted home invasion Monday afternoon in Northeast Baltimore, police said.

Following a policy implemented earlier this year, police did not identify the officer other than disclosing that he is assigned to the Southwest District.

About 1 p.m., the officer was attempting to enter his home in the 3600 block of Glenarm Road in the leafy Glenham-Belford neighborhood when the suspect, a 19-year-old man, stuck a gun in his back and forced him inside the home, according to police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi.

The suspect forced the officer to lie down, and the officer was able to grab his service weapon. The officer chased the suspect two blocks before opening fire, striking the suspect "multiple times," Guglielmi said.

The suspect's weapon was recovered from the scene, according to Guglielmi. He was transported to Johns Hopkins Bayview Hospital in critical condition, and police declined to identify him until he was charged.

Several neighbors reported hearing two sets of four to nine gunshots but did not see the officer or the suspect. They said the shooting was rare for the neighborhood of single-family homes with well-kept yards.

"This is a very unusual situation," said Sylvester Macis, 63.

Baltimore police say an off-duty officer shot a man who pulled a gun on the officer during an apparent home invasion attempt.