2 Baltimore City Officers Hurt, Murder Suspect Killed In Shootout

WOODLAWN, MD — Two Baltimore City police officers were wounded and the suspected gunman was killed in a shooting at Security Square Mall in Woodlawn, Baltimore County Police said Tuesday. The gunman was sought on a June 2021 murder warrant.

Police received a call about 8 a.m. that two U.S. Marshals had been shot in the 6900 block of Security Boulevard. Two Baltimore Police detectives were taken to the University of Maryland Shock Trauma, suffering from gunshot wounds. Tuesday afternoon the officers were listed in stable condition, according to the department.

The officers have been identified as Baltimore City officers with the Warrant Apprehension Task Force, county officials said. Their names have not been released.

The suspect has been identified as Justin Powell, 32, of Baltimore. Authorities said he was wanted on a murder warrant and an additional handgun warrant.

Powell suffered at least one gunshot wound and was pronounced dead at a regional hospital.

The criminal investigation into the shooting is being handled by the Baltimore County Police Department.

The Baltimore Police Department’s Special Investigations Response Team is investigating the police officer-involved shooting.

According to the U.S. Marshals Service, the officers were attempting to serve a homicide warrant on Powell, who was wanted for first-degree murder in Baltimore City in a June 19 homicide. When the officers approached the vehicle, the suspect began shooting, striking the officers, FOX 45

Baltimore City Police Commissioner Michael Harrison said officers saw the vehicle in the area and approached it. Powell then got out of his vehicle and fired at the officers.

The Baltimore Sun reported the mall is anchored by Macy’s, Burlington Coat Factory, So Home Furniture and AMC Theaters. In 2018, Set the Captives Free, a nondenominational church, bought space at the mall vacated by Seoul Plaza and JCPenney. The church developed the O.W.E. Center, a community center, to hold worship and community services (O.W.E. stands for Outreach, Worship and Education.)

Pastor Karen Bethea of the O.W.E Center told the Sun the shooting was disappointing, in part because it might overshadow community outreach efforts. The community center is about to open and will include a daycare, work force development programs and youth programs.

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