Feb. 9, 2023 The shooting happened when Baltimore County police responded to a report of a person in crisis, and a 24-year-old man opened fire, wounding an officer.
By Dan Belson Source Baltimore Sun Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Baltimore County Police are still looking for an “armed and dangerous” 24-year-old who they say injured an officer Wednesday afternoon, police said.
Police are urging Cockeysville residents to shelter in place, and several schools are closed Thursday due to police activity in the area.
The following schools are closed for students and staff: Cockeysville Middle School, Dulaney High School, Mays Chapel Elementary School, Padonia International Elementary School, Warren Elementary School and Pot Spring Elementary School.
There will be no before- or after-school programs, according to Baltimore County Public Schools.
The officer was shot after police were dispatched to the area of Powers Avenue in Cockeysville at about 2:30 p.m. to respond to a person in crisis, police spokesperson Joy Stewart said at Sherwood Episcopal Church, where scores of officers were set up for the matter throughout Wednesday afternoon.
Once officers arrived at the residence on the 10000 block of Powers Avenue, family members escorted police to David Emory Linthicum, Stewart said.
“During that exchange, the subject discharged a firearm,” she said.
The officer was taken to a hospital in stable condition, Stewart said. He was released later Wednesday night and “is in good spirits,” the department tweeted.
Stewart did not say what happened to Linthicum following the gunfire, but that police are seeking him.
Residents of some neighborhoods nearby received a call asking them to shelter in place, police said. Others who live nearby are asked to avoid the area, as several roads are closed to any traffic. At 10:50 p.m., the police department tweeted that Hollow Road at Sherwood Road was the only remaining road closure.
“We are asking residents who live in this area who might be returning home from work at this hour to please find an alternate location because roads are blocked off,” Stewart said. ”If they are sheltering in place in this area, we would ask that they continue to remain sheltering in place.”
In case of an emergency, residents can contact police at 410-887-2222.
The matter is still active, Stewart said. Police identified Linthicum as being 5 feet 7 and 165 pounds, with auburn hair, brown eyes and a beard.
Those who come into contact with Linthicum are asked to call 911, and to not approach him as he is considered armed and dangerous.
Heavily armed officers from several agencies, including the Harford County Sheriff’s Office and Natural Resources Police, arrived at the church in addition to many police vehicles throughout the afternoon. Some residents camped out near the church awaiting more information.
Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski Jr. tweeted that he visited the police department’s Command and Control Center in reference to the pursuit, and is in “constant contact” with the agency.
“We remain fully confident in our department and will continue to do all we can to support their ongoing investigation to apprehend this suspect,” he said.