A mass manhunt continues in Maryland for a suspect who allegedly shot two Baltimore County Police Department officers in 36 hours, leaving one in critical condition.
The Harford County Sheriff’s Office said police located the suspect, identified as 24-year-old David Emory Linthicum, Thursday night and “pinned him down” within a “perimeter” in Fallston.
Harford County Sheriff Jeff Gahler said the suspect was located at about 7 p.m., when an exchange of gunfire ensued that left a Baltimore County police officer critically injured.
“We have a person we believe to be the suspect, a perimeter has been established, and we are working to bring this incident to a peaceful resolution,” Harford police said.
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Police located the suspect believed to have shot two police officers, identified as 24-year-old David Linthicum, on Thursday night. (AP Photo/Julio Cortes)
A vehicular pursuit began before the suspect became trapped in an area near the Fallston Mall around 9:41 p.m.
“We have the individual contained. This will be resolved here. There is no threat to the community,” Gahler said.
Authorities said they “can see” the suspect, but he remains barricaded and is not in custody.
Sheriff Gahler added, “First and foremost, our thoughts and prayers are with the BCPD officers who were injured by the suspect.”
The officer who was shot is in stable condition in Shock Trauma, Baltimore County Acting Police Chief Dennis Delp said, according to WBAL.
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Shock Trauma’s chief physician, Dr. Thomas Scalea, said the detective suffered multiple gunshot wounds to the torso and “is going to need a significant amount of reconstruction,” WBAL reported.
And he added: “He will be with us for a while.”
The manhunt initially began Wednesday afternoon after officers were called to a residence in Cockeysville to help a person in distress.
Police vehicles park in formation at a checkpoint at the intersection of Mountain Road and Belair Road, where a suspected gunman is believed to be on the loose, Thursday, February 9, 2023, in Fallston, Maryland. (AP Photo/Julio Cortes)
Baltimore County officers arrived at the home, located along Powers Avenue, and a family member escorted them to a person in crisis later identified as Linthicum.
During their interaction, he allegedly fired multiple shots, wounding an officer, police said in a statement. Police spokeswoman Joy Stewart said officers did not return fire.
The injured officer was transported to an area hospital and later released.
Police officers stand at a checkpoint at Mountain Road and Belair Road, where a suspected gunman is believed to be on the run, Thursday, February 9, 2023, in Fallston, Maryland. (AP Photo/Julio Cortes)
A search for the suspect was then launched, including a heavy police presence with helicopters circling overhead. Officials closed roads in the neighborhood and were seen inspecting single-family homes with large yards that extend into wooded areas.
Authorities also urged residents to stay in their homes while the search for the suspect continued overnight.
Several schools in the area were subsequently closed, including Cockeysville High School, Dulaney High School, Mays Chapel Elementary School, Padonia International Elementary School, Warren Elementary School and Pot Spring Elementary School, Baltimore County announced.
After Linthicum was seen in a residential area in Cockeysville, police again ordered residents to shelter in place.
The suspect still has at least one rifle, according to WBAL news reporter Deborah Weiner.
In another statement early Friday morning, the Harford Sheriff’s Office thanked the “federal, state and allied agency partners who are working tirelessly to keep our community safe.”
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“This incident has gone on for two days and has affected countless citizens,” the statement continued. “I want to thank the citizens for their vigilance and patience.”
Harford police also urged members of the community not to share tactical information about officer positions online.
Associated Press contributed to this report.
