Bel Air, Md. — What began as a routine traffic stop just before 9 p.m. Saturday in the 300 block of Franklin Street ended when a Bel Air police officer shot a man who later died at a Baltimore trauma center, officials said. The Maryland Attorney General’s Office has assigned its Independent Investigations Division to review the incident.
Sequence of events and immediate response
Bel Air police said the officer initiated a traffic stop shortly before 9 p.m. The encounter turned physical; during that altercation the officer discharged his firearm, striking the man, according to a news release from the Maryland Office of the Attorney General.
The man was flown to an area trauma hospital where he later died. Police have not released the man’s identity or the reason the vehicle was stopped.
Authorities confirmed the officer sustained injuries during the incident, received medical treatment and has since been released from the hospital. The officer, who had not been with the department long, has been placed on administrative leave pending the investigation.
State investigation and evidence
The Independent Investigations Division (IID) of the Maryland Attorney General’s Office is conducting the review. IID asked for assistance from the public and from other agencies, including the Harford County Sheriff’s Office, which helped secure the scene and collect evidence.
Officials said the officer was wearing a body-worn camera during the encounter. The IID has said the body-worn camera footage will be released within 20 business days, in keeping with the division’s procedures.
Officials seek witnesses and video
Investigators are asking anyone with information or recordings of the incident to come forward. The IID provided the following contact options:
- Phone: (410) 576-7070
- Email: IID@oag.maryland.gov
“It’s a tragedy. When we have a loss of life, it’s a tragedy,” Bel Air Police Chief Charles Moore said, describing the department’s response and the role of partnering agencies in the investigation.
Community reaction
Residents who were nearby described being alarmed by the commotion. A Bel Air resident who identified himself as Zachary told local television he was awakened by yelling and initially thought it was a domestic dispute. He said he heard repeated commands to "get back in the car" coming from the scene.
What is known and what remains unknown
The following summarizes confirmed details and outstanding questions:
| Detail | Confirmed |
|---|---|
| Location | 300 block of Franklin Street, Bel Air, Harford County |
| Time | Shortly before 9 p.m. Saturday |
| Injuries | Driver fatally shot; officer injured and treated |
| Investigation lead | Maryland Attorney General’s Independent Investigations Division |
| Body camera | Officer was wearing one; IID will release footage within 20 business days |
| Why the stop occurred | Not released by police |
Next steps in the probe
The IID typically conducts interviews, collects and analyzes video and physical evidence, and examines whether department policies and state law were followed. The division has asked for any private surveillance or cellphone video from residents or businesses in the area.
Bel Air Police Chief Moore said the department will cooperate with the IID and noted the seriousness of losing a life during a police interaction. The Harford County Sheriff’s Office assisted at the scene and worked alongside IID investigators while evidence was gathered.
How residents can help
Investigators are specifically seeking:
- Surveillance video from homes or businesses in the 300 block of Franklin Street and surrounding blocks
- Cellphone video taken during or immediately after the stop
- Witness contact information or other observations that could clarify what occurred
Anyone with such evidence or information is asked to call the IID at (410) 576-7070 or email IID@oag.maryland.gov. The department has not released the names of the officer or the man who was shot.
As the state-led inquiry continues, residents and local officials say they are awaiting the release of body-worn camera footage and further findings from the IID to provide a clearer picture of the events that led to the fatal shooting.
