Cop Killed Overlea Man Who Raised Rifle at Officer: Baltimore County Police

BALTIMORE COUNTY, MD — A man died in a police-involved shooting in northeast Baltimore County Thursday night after he threatened family members, himself and officers with a rifle, according to the Baltimore County Police Department.

Kerry Lee Coomer, 59, of the unit block of Greenwood Avenue, had argued with his estranged wife on Thursday and stated that he wanted die, police said. At one point, he directed his .30-.30 scoped rifle at himself, according to authorities, and when he pointed it at her and another family member, she called 911.

At 10:43 p.m. on Thursday, officers responded to the unit block of Greenwood Avenue for a report of a suicidal man armed with a gun, and Coomer came out onto his porch.

One officer tried to talk to him and deescalate the situation, ordering him to raise his hands and come off the porch, police said, which Coomer refused to do.

A second officer provided cover and upon seeing Coomer suddenly reach for and raise his rifle, the cover officer fired two shots, both of which hit the man in the upper body, according to police. Medics were immediately summoned but Coomer was declared deceased at the scene.

The officer who fired the shots will be placed on administrative status pending the outcome of an investigation, which is standard in police-involved shootings.

The policeman who engaged with Coomer was wearing a body camera, which will be used as part of the investigation into the incident. When he saw Coomer raising the rifle, he turned and ran for his life, at which point the cover officer, who was not wearing a body camera, fired.

Officials said that by Sept. 30 all Baltimore County police officers will be equipped with body cameras.

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