Warrant Issued for Cop in Deputy-Involved Shooting: Report

BEL AIR, MD – There is reportedly a warrant out for the arrest of the Baltimore County officer who engaged in an alleged gunfight with Harford deputies Thursday.

James L. Ward, 42, of the 2000 block of Stratton Court in Bel Air, was airlifted to the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center Thursday after he shot at deputies outside his home, and two officers fired back and injured him, the sheriff's office reported.

Initially, law enforcement had been called to Ward's home Thursday afternoon for a domestic incident involving a man who was said to be suicidal, intoxicated and armed, according to the sheriff's office.

Ward is an officer with the Baltimore County Police Department, which reported he would be suspended without pay pending felony charges in Harford County.

According to WJZ, the warrant had been issued but not served Friday evening, with the following charges: three counts of first-degree assault and two counts of attempted second-degree murder.

Ward has been with the Baltimore County Police Department for 19 years, where police said he is assigned to the White Marsh precinct and has no open internal affairs investigations.

See Also:

• Baltimore County Officer Airlifted After Deputy-Involved Shooting: Sheriff
• White Marsh Officer Injured in Deputy-Involved Shooting: Police

Officers were called to a domestic dispute around 12:10 p.m. on Thursday at Ward's home, where he allegedly fired several shots inside, according to officials, who said that nobody was injured at that time.

As patrol deputies formed a perimeter around the home to ensure the safety of the community, shots were fired within the residence, and deputies requested assistance from the special response and special operations teams, the sheriff's office reported.

Crisis negotiators had been trying to get Ward to surrender peacefully when, at 2:40 p.m., he stopped engaging in phone conversations with them and fired multiple rounds into the tactical rescue vehicle posted outside, authorities reported.

Two deputies taking cover in the vehicle fired at and injured Ward, who came out of the house and was arrested without further incident, according to the sheriff's office.

The Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company provided first aid, and a Maryland State Police medevac arrived to take Ward to shock trauma, where he was being treated Thursday evening, officials reported.

As a result of the shooting, authorities said Ward had serious injuries that were not believed to be life-threatening.

The deputies involved in the shooting have been placed on administrative leave, which is standard procedure, pending the outcome of an internal investigation. The deputies were unharmed, the sheriff's office reported.

Patch File Photo.