HAVRE DE GRACE, Md. — A Harford County Sheriff's Deputy was involved in a deadly shooting of a 58-year-old man Thursday morning in Havre de Grace.
At about 7:20 a.m., deputies were dispatched for a reported armed suicidal person. They responded to a residence in the 4400 block of Colt Lane, where they encountered Steven Huff standing in the driveway armed with a gun and making "statements consistent with suicide," Harford County Sheriffs said in a statement. Deputies established a perimeter, and the Sheriff's Special Response Team responded and took command of the incident.
Negotiations with Huff lasted for about 30 minutes, but as Huff continued "threatening and escalating actions, which included him suddenly advancing towards the deputies, multiple deputies fired upon Huff for fear of their personal safety and that of the surrounding community," the Sheriff's Office said. Huff was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Sheriff's Office immediately began an investigation of the incident, collecting evidence on the scene. The findings of that investigation will be turned over to the Harford County State's Attorney's Office for review. The deputies who fired will be placed on routine administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.
"Any loss of life is tragic," said Harford County Sheriff Jeff Gahler in a statement. "Today, our deputies had to employ deadly force, a last resort for our personnel, and this action ended the life of a man who was struggling with thoughts of suicide, but sadly, his actions put other lives at risk. Earlier this week, we attended the ribbon cutting of the new 24/7 crisis center in Harford County. Today is a sober reminder of its great need."
The Sheriff's Office reminded residents that if they, or someone they know, needs help while suffering with depression, addiction, anxiety, or other mental illness, they can call the Klein Family Harford Crisis Center 24/7 at 1-800-639-8783, or go to the center, which is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
