Share

A Baltimore County police officer shot Thursday at the Wilkens Precinct is in "guarded" condition, officials said at a news conference Thursday night.


Baltimore County Police Chief Robert McCullough said the officer underwent surgery. The officer is resting well, Interim Baltimore County Executive Kathy Klausmeier said.

Shock Trauma Physician-in-Chief Dr. Thomas Scalea said the officer would remain overnight in a recovery room under very close observation.

What police say happened

The man then opened fire, striking a second officer standing outside his vehicle, police said. Officers returned fire, striking the gunman multiple times in the lower body, police said.

SkyTeam 11 video showed rescue crews treating the officer in the precinct's parking lot before taking them to Shock Trauma in Baltimore. Both the injured officer and gunman were taken to hospitals.

While the officer remains in "guarded condition" after surgery, the suspect remained hospitalized in critical but stable condition. Charges against the suspect are pending, police said.

The suspect has a "limited criminal record," McCullough said.

The officer is a Baltimore County police veteran of about seven years. The officers who fired their weapons are on administrative leave per protocol.

Officials respond

"When you show up to work and you're walking through the parking lot or wherever ... you don't have in your mind that your life is going to be in danger at that moment. And, clearly, their lives were in danger in that moment. But it also emphasizes the importance that as police officers we have a dangerous job ... but we have to be careful at all times," McCullough said.

Klausmeier released a statement on X, saying: "A Baltimore County police officer was shot today in the Wilkens area — this kind of violence is shocking, outrageous and has no place in Baltimore County. County Executive Klausmeier has joined Chief McCullough at Shock Trauma, where the officer is being treated. We're praying for the officer, his family and his colleagues right now, and will share additional information as it becomes available."

Investigation continues; security enhanced

The police chief said it was clear that the shooting was planned, and that detectives continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting.

"It was very clear this was premeditated," McCullough said Thursday night. "We'll continue to look into this and investigate it further to find out exactly what motivated this individual to do what they did."

Enhanced security measures were in place at the Wilkens Precinct on Friday.

"It's a public place; we have a lobby. It has certain security measures in place; however, it doesn't prevent somebody from walking onto the grounds, and you don't always know when people are armed," McCullough said Thursday night. "(It) makes it important that we are enhancing the security of our facilities."

The police chief said plenty of focus goes into equipment, like bulletproof vests, for officers, as well as body-worn cameras, but there is also a need for more security at the workplace.

"Ironically, (at the) Wilkens Precinct, we're building a new precinct at that location, and part of that plan is more enhanced security," McCullough said Thursday night.

Mccullough did not indicate what new features he wants, but they could include fencing and a security gate, like the gate at the Woodlawn and Dundalk precincts.

Maryland State Police troopers and agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives also responded as part of the investigation.