By Melanie R. Holmes
AFRO Staff Writer
(October 22, 2009) - A 14-year-old African-American male is in critical condition at Maryland Shock Trauma Center after he was shot Oct. 22 by a Western District police officer.
The teen’s attempted robbery of a third-year University of Maryland medical student was interrupted by the officer on the 700 block of West Lexington Street shortly before 8 p.m. The officer observed the robbery in progress as he was driving to police headquarters on the 600 block of East Fayette Street.
According to police, the victim was riding his bike when the teen allegedly stopped him and placed a gun at the back of his neck. Police believe the boy used a BB pistol that was recovered at the crime scene.
“As the officer approached, the victim warned the officer that the suspect had a weapon," Baltimore City Police Department Spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said in a statement. "The suspect turned toward the officer. The officer fired two shots.”
At least one bullet hit the teen in the stomach. He was taken by ambulance to the hospital and immediately went into surgery. Guglielmi said his name has not been released because he has not been charged yet.
The names of the robbery victim, who was uninjured, and the officer are also being withheld at this time. Both men were taken to police headquarters for routine interviews by homicide detectives. The officer has been with the Western District for three years.