Crime & Safety
Knife-Wielding Man Shot By Officer In Grave Condition: Police
Anne Arundel Police say a volunteer firefighter who threatened police with a knife was walking in traffic before he was shot by an officer.
ANNAPOLIS, MD — Witnesses say a man shot by an Anne Arundel County Police officer Friday night on Route 50 was standing or walking in traffic in an apparent effort to be struck by a vehicle. Authorities said Monday that the man — reportedly a volunteer firefighter in Prince George's County — was struck by a vehicle before fire personnel arrived and he threatened first responders with a knife. He refused to drop the weapon when ordered to do so by a police officer and was shot once, according to the department.
Authorities said they will not release the name of the accused attacker until he is released from the hospital and served on 21 charges. As of Monday morning the suspect was listed in grave condition at an area hospital and is under guard.
Police did not confirm the accused man was a first responder, which was reported by WBAL TV.
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The armed encounter began about 9:45 p.m. on May 31 when an accident involving a pedestrian was reported on Route 50 eastbound before MD-424. The Anne Arundel County Fire Department arrived first at the scene and the responders were immediately confronted and threatened by the armed man, police said in an update on Saturday. Fire personnel called for police to rush their response.
When Corporal R. Heller arrived moments later and confronted the armed man, he failed to comply with Heller's orders to drop the knife and get on the ground, officials say. Heller fired one round, striking the suspect.
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Police have secured an active warrant charging the suspect with seven counts each of first-degree assault, second-degree assault, and reckless endangerment. Once he is released from the hospital, the suspect will be processed at a station and served his charges.
No injuries to fire or police personnel were reported.
Heller is a 20-year veteran of the police department assigned to the Bureau of Patrol.
Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call the Homicide Unit at 410-222-4731 or the TipLine at 410-222-4700.
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