‘Rapping Cop’ Injured In Federal Hill Shooting

BALTIMORE, MD — Police have identified the officer injured in a Tuesday night shooting in Federal Hill as Officer Joshua Jackson. He is also known as the “rapping cop,” who raps under the name "Saint."

Jackson was released from the hospital Wednesday morning and is in good condition, police said. The shooter has not been found and should be considered armed and dangerous, according to authorities.

Police said Jackson was shot after trying to conduct a traffic stop on a vehicle whose driver he suspected was intoxicated. He first noticed the person driving erratically near the intersection of East Pratt at Light streets around 9:25 p.m., officials reported.

Related: Police Seek 'Armed And Dangerous' Suspect In BPD Officer Shooting

When Jackson tried to stop the vehicle, it sped off, and he followed it to the 1000 block of Light Street, where the driver crashed and ran away, police said.

As the officer ran after him, the suspect shot him, hitting Jackson in the lower abdomen, officials reported.

Jackson, who has been with the Baltimore Police Department since May 2017, was featured on NBC's "Today" show in April 2019 in a segment called "The Hip-Hop Cop: Meet Baltimore's Finest Rapper."

His rap helps him connect with members of the community, he said.

"There are people that I'm pretty sure I would not be able to communicate with on the regular if I didn't rap," Jackson told "Today" last year. "So I have kids now who walk up to me that last week were running from the police."

The person who shot him ran and has not been located as of Wednesday night. He has been identified as Antonio Oliver Janifer, 28, according to police.

Police ask anyone with information about the suspect to call 911 or Metro Crime Stoppers at 1-866-7LOCKUP.