BALTIMORE — An investigation is underway in downtown Baltimore following an officer-involved shooting Saturday night.
Authorities responded to the 300 block of N. Eutaw Street in connection with the incident.
At 9:35 p.m., a central district officer was in the area issuing a parking citation and waiting for a tow truck to remove a vehicle with suspended and expired tags.
While the officer waited for the tow truck, the vehicle's driver—a 29-year-old man—arrived at the scene. He initially denied owning the vehicle but later admitted he was the owner.
The officer informed the driver that his vehicle was being towed and that he was permitted to retrieve his belongings if he wished.
Police say the man got into the driver's seat while the officer walked to the front of the vehicle. A second officer was en route to help block the vehicle and prevent it from moving.
However, before the second officer could get in position, police say the man put the car in drive and struck the officer with the vehicle.
As the officer ordered the man to stop, he continued driving—backing up and moving forward—and dragged the officer a short distance before the officer opened fire.
Police say the officer fired at least three shots, striking the man as he was being dragged.
The officer then pulled the man from the car and rendered aid until emergency personnel arrived. The man was transported to an area hospital, where he remains in critical condition.
A crowd started to form around the scene, with officers working to keep them away from the scene as aid was being rendered to the man.
According to Baltimore City Police Commissioner Richard Worley, the man is not known to police, but police were made aware that his driver's license was revoked.
The officer was also taken to an area hospital for treatment of neck and back injuries.
Reflecting on the incident, Commissioner Worley said the officer did everything that the department asks him to do.
"This is an area that we get lots of complaints about," said Commissioner Worley. "If you look at the area, it just doesn't look very clean. So, you got officers up here doing what we ask them to do, which is addressing quality-of-life issues. And this is what happens. It happens because you have someone who doesn't comply with orders."
