Holly MatkinCockeysville, MD – Two Maryland law enforcement officers were shot and a Baltimore County police detective was on life support on Friday morning before police arrested a violent felon after a multi-day manhunt.
The shootings occurred during a search for the suspect that spanned multiple jurisdictions, resulted in a vehicle chase, a lengthy standoff, and shut down schools in two counties, WBAL reported.
The incident began at approximately 2:30 p.m. on Feb. 8, when the Baltimore County Police Department (BCPD) received a report of an individual in crisis at a residence located in the 10000-block of Powers Avenue in Cockeysville, according to NBC News.
Officers responded to the scene and were met by family member of 24-year-old David Emory Linthicum, WBAL reported.
The family member escorted police to Linthicum’s location, but the suspect opened fire on them shortly after they made contact with him, according to the BCPD.
Baltimore County Police Chief Dennis Delp said during a press conference on Thursday that one officer was wounded during the attack, NBC News reported.
ICYMI 🚨: Police are actively searching for 24-year-old David Linthicum who shot an officer multiple times. He is believed to be armed and dangerous.
📍Baltimore County, MD pic.twitter.com/6rKZK2NqY5
— Officer Lew (@officer_Lew) February 10, 2023
The officer was rushed to a local hospital with multiple gunshot wounds, and has since been released to continue his recovery at home, according to CBS News.
“He is at home recovering and is in good spirits,” BCPD Spokesperson Joy Stewart told the news outlet.
Linthicum escaped in the aftermath of the shooting, leading to a shelter-in-place order being issued in the Powers Avenue neighborhood while police searched for the gunman, WBAL reported.
WANTED: 24-year –old David Emory Linthicum. He 5’7, 165 pounds, with auburn-colored hair, brown eyes, and facial hair. He is considered armed and dangerous. Do not approach. Submita tip 1-866-7LOCKUP (1-866-756-2587) There is a reward of up to $2,000 in this case. pic.twitter.com/3uu2te0XOS
— MCS Maryland (@MCSMaryland) February 9, 2023
The manhunt stretched on into Thursday night, when police spotted Linthicum in the area of Warren Road and Powers Road at about 9:20 p.m., Chief Delp said.
Investigators said the suspect shot a Baltimore County police detective multiple times during the encounter before he stole the wounded hero’s vehicle and drove off, WBAL reported.
The detective was airlifted to Shock Trauma in Baltimore shortly after 10 p.m. on Thursday, Dr. Thomas Scalea told reporters during a press conference alongside Chief Delp early Friday morning, according to WBAL.
“He came in shock. We have stabilized him, but he is on life support,” Scalea said. “He is going to need significant amount of reconstruction [surgery]. We are putting our plan together now. He’ll be with us for a while.”
Chief Delp said the attack happened quickly.
Thursday night Shock Trauma’s Dr. Thomas Scalea provided an update on the condition of the #BCoPD detective 24-yr-old David Linthicum is accused of shooting. This is 2nd member of our Department in less than 36 hrs the suspect shot. Both officers remain in our thoughts & prayers. pic.twitter.com/WI2b1A8tMz
— Baltimore County Police Department (@BaltCoPolice) February 10, 2023
Other officers chased after the stolen vehicle in the wake of the shooting and ultimately deflated the car’s tires with spike strips, The Baltimore Banner reported.
Linthicum continued to drive on the damaged rims before ultimately bailing out of the car near the Fallston Mall and running off into the woods, Hartford County Sheriff Jeff Gahler said during a media update early Friday morning.
He was armed with a rifle, according to the sheriff.
One of the videos a neighbor shared with me as police searched for David Linthicum last night. @wjz pic.twitter.com/RSBGgCQciK
— Mike Hellgren (@HellgrenWJZ) February 9, 2023
A shelter-in-place was issued in the area of Milton Avenue, Old Joppa Road, Route 1, and Route 152 as the search continued, according to CBS News.
Sheriff Gahler said police quickly established a perimeter to prevent Linthicum’s escape, WBAL reported.
“We have the individual contained. This will be resolved here,” the sheriff said. “There is no threat to the community.”
Drones and helicopters circled above the pinned-down suspect as the standoff continued, The Baltimore Banner reported.
“When some of the flash bangs went off, he commented on how much he liked fireworks,” Sheriff Gahler told the paper.
“It’s not just as easy as walking up and putting him in handcuffs,” the sheriff added. “The last thing we want is another exchange of gunfire.”
Approximately eight hours later, at about 5:45 a.m., Linthicum was taken into custody, The Baltimore Banner reported.
Sheriff Gahler said he resisted arrest, but that no one was injured.
The Baltimore County Police Department would like to thank our federal, state, and allied agency partners with this multijurisdictional investigation. Also, thank you to the Baltimore County community for their cooperation and patience during this incident. Suspect is in custody. pic.twitter.com/vkrn4ksmbZ
— Baltimore County Police Department (@BaltCoPolice) February 10, 2023
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Sandy Malone
