New Evidence Uncovered In Baltimore Detective's Autopsy: Police

BALTIMORE, MD — The killer of a veteran Baltimore homicide detective is at large, and the investigation is developing, according to Baltimore Police Commissioner Kevin Davis. Additional evidence was recovered at the murder scene on Monday, Davis said, following an autopsy of the slain 18-year veteran of the Baltimore Police Department.

Detective Sean Suiter, 43, was shot on Bennett Place in west Baltimore on Wednesday while investigating a 2016 homicide. He died on Thursday, and an autopsy was conducted over the weekend. There was a slight delay from the time he was killed until the autopsy report could be completed because the detective was an organ donor, the police commissioner explained.

"Based on the results of the autopsy yesterday...we have returned to the crime scene, and we have today — five days after Detective Suiter was murdered — recovered additional significant evidence from the crime scene," Davis said at a press conference Monday afternoon.

While he did not get into specifics, citing the ongoing nature of the investigation, Davis said that the autopsy "made us think about this murder in a different way."

The cause of death was a gunshot wound to the head; the manner of death was homicide, Davis said of the autopsy report. The trajectory of the bullet and proximity of the shooter were types of information that could be provided through the autopsy, he noted.

Of the new evidence, he said: "I think it's going to help us identify the killer. I really do."

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The crime scene in the immediate area around where Suiter was killed would be cordoned off for at least one more day, Davis said Monday afternoon.

Federal agencies were assisting the Baltimore Police Department in the investigation. "We're bringing every expert" possible, including those testing soil samples and other elements, for evidence, Davis said.

Initially, Davis said that three shell casings recovered at the scene were matched to Suiter's firearm, which was also recovered at the murder scene.

"There are other types of ballistic evidence that can be recovered from a crime scene," Davis said in a general statement. "Ballistic evidence is very important."

There is a $215,000 reward for information in the case. The DEA has partnered with Baltimore Police and the FBI in offering the reward, along with Metro Crime Stoppers and the state of Maryland. People may text tips to 443-902-4824 or call Baltimore police at 410-396-2100.

"We think he's in the city, and we think he may be wounded," Davis said of the suspect.

Media questioned why the reward continued to increase. Originally, after the shooting there was a $60,000 reward for information.

"Policing in America is special. It's difficult," Davis said as to why agencies, from the state of Maryland to the ATF, contributed to the reward. "When [police officers] get their lives snuffed out in the line of duty, society says, ‘That’s unacceptable.' Any loss of life is unacceptable, but society says in particular, the murder of a police officer is unacceptable."

The funeral for Suiter has not been set yet but is anticipated to take place sometime next week, Davis said.

There is a GoFundMe account set up for the family of Detective Sean Suiter. He leaves behind a wife and five children.

Photo by Elizabeth Janney.