Double Shooting On DeSoto Road: Suspect At Large, Police Say

BALTIMORE, MD — Officials say the suspect in a double shooting is on the loose Thursday morning in southwest Baltimore. Anyone who sees him should call 911, and those around DeSoto Road and Washington Boulevard may notice police activity in the area as the search continues.

The suspect was described as a black man in his early 20s with shoulder-length dreadlocks who was wearing no shirt and blue jeans. Officials said he had a medium complexion and was about 5-feet-11-inches tall.

Police said the man is suspected of fatally shooting one person and injuring another in the 1100 block of DeSoto Road before 8 a.m. on Thursday.

An officer saw the suspect pull up to a vehicle and fire several rounds at two people inside, at which point the officer pursued the gunman in his patrol car, police said.

When the officer gave chase, the suspect vehicle crashed into an 18-wheeler tractor-trailer at the intersection of DeSoto Road and Washington Boulevard, Baltimore Police Chief of Media Relations TJ Smith said.

After the crash, the suspect got out of his vehicle and ran away, according to authorities.

"We don't believe he's gotten out of the area at this point in time," Smith said at 10:10 a.m.

The suspect should be considered armed and dangerous, and anyone who sees him should call 911.

A Maryland State Police helicopter and other law enforcement are assisting in a search of the area.

Both victims were taken to the hospital, where one was pronounced deceased, Smith said. The other victim sustained injuries that are believed to be non-life-threatening, according to authorities.

The shooting is believed to have been a targeted act of violence, and Smith noted there were drugs other than marijuana found at the scene.

"The shooter specifically targeted this vehicle," Smith said.

Road closures may occur in the area of Washington Boulevard/US 1 and DeSoto Road, police reported after 8:45 a.m.

Anyone who sees anything suspicious or someone matching the suspect description should call 911.

File photo by Renee Schiavone/Patch.