Police Make Arrest Following Officer Involved Shooting

Baltimore police have arrested a man for his alleged involvement in a struggle with a police officer that resulted in two people being shot on York Road early Sunday.

Winston Govans resident Theodore Smith, 37, has been charged with first degree assault, second-degree assault and resisting arrest, said Sgt. Eric Kowalczyk a police spokesman. 

At about 2 a.m., a Northern District officer was on patrol in the 5400 block of York Road, when he saw a large crowd gathered in front of a carry out. The officer then got out of his car, tried to disperse the crowd and ended up in a struggle with Smith, according to police.

During the fight, the officer drew his gun and fired a single shot. The bullet hit a 22-year-old man and a 36-year-old woman (police initially reported only one person injured). Their wounds are not believed to be life-threatening and the officer was not hurt in the incident. 

Police have not released the officer’s name because it’s department policy to not to identify an officer involved in a shooting for 48 hours after an incident.

Homicide detectives are investigating, which is the standard procedure for police involved shootings.

According to electronic court records, Smith pleaded guilty to first degree murder and use of a handgun in committing a crime in 1993, but was released on probation.     

Sign up for our newsletter, and follow us on Facebook and Twitter. Contact editor Adam Bednar with any news tips. Want to write on your own? Skip the middle man. Join our Local Voices.