Crime & Safety

Police Identify Officer, Man Killed in Medfield Shooting

The man was shot during a struggle with an officer.

Baltimore City police have released the names of a man who was killed Tuesday in Medfield and the officer who shot him.

John Hanyok, a 31-year-old officer from Northern District patrol, fatally shot Jonathan Blakenship, 40, who was involved in a struggle with a fellow officer, police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said.

Homicide detectives are investigating the shooting, which is standard procedure. The findings will be sent to the Baltimore City State's Attorney's office, Guglielmi said.

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On Tuesday afternoon, officers arrived at the 1400-block of Weldon Place North and observed a  

Police said Blankenship fought with a responding officer, overpowered him and continued to assault him despite verbal commands to stop.

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Additional officers were called in to assist. Blankenship again ignored verbal commands, Guglielmi said. Hanyok, one of the back-up officers, shot Blankenship at least once. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Online court records show that Blankenship was previously indicted on charges of child abuse and rape.


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