Baltimore Police Ambushed by Man with Rifle

Baltimore police ambushed by man with rifle (Baltimore PD)

Baltimore Police Ambushed by Man with Rifle

Baltimore, MD – Thursday night, Baltimore police officers were drawn to an area where gunshots were heard. When officers arrived in the area, the suspect began shooting at them. The officers returned fire and shot the suspect.

Baltimore Sun reports:

 A gunman with an AR-15-style rifle opened fire on four plainclothes police officers in an unmarked car Thursday night in West Baltimore, police said.

Two of the officers shot back and killed the man outside apartments on Winchester Street in Bridgeview-Greenlawn.

The officers were drawn to the apartments on the 2300 block by reports of gunfire. Police said the man was shooting before they arrived about 9:30 p.m., then turned his rifle on the officers.

Into Friday morning, police were investigating whether the tactic was an attempt to lure police. The officers weren’t injured, and no other victims were found.

“Why he was firing initially? Who he was firing at? That’s something we don’t have the answer to,” said T.J. Smith, a police spokesman.

The two officers who fired back were placed on routine administrative duties. At least one officer shot the man in his upper body, police said.

Police released no details about the gunman Thursday night. He opened fire from a distance, 60 to 70 yards, Smith said.

With the increased violence against police officers in our country, officers need to be increasingly aware of the threat of a possible ambush. Calls that are initially reported as a simple non-violent report may turn out to be a plan to set up officers. While this case initially involved gunfire, it appears likely that the suspect was firing specifically to lure police officers to the area, so that they could be ambushed. Thankfully, these officers were better gunfighters than the suspect.

Be safe out these, and watch each other’s backs.