Bel Air Officer Injured, Driver Killed During Traffic Stop

BEL AIR, MD — A Bel Air police officer was injured and a driver fatally shot by that same officer Saturday when a physical altercation broke out during a traffic stop.

The Independent Investigations Division of the Maryland Office of the Attorney General has opened an investigation into the incident.

The preliminary investigation indicates that on Saturday around 8:55 p.m., a Bel Air police officer stopped a vehicle in the unit block of Franklin Street. During the traffic stop, the driver and the officer became involved in a physical fight and the officer fired his service weapon, hitting the man, the IID stated.

Officers provided emergency medical aid until emergency medical services arrived at the scene. The driver was flown to the University of Maryland R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center where he was later pronounced dead, according to the Bel Air Police Department. The officer also was injured and was treated at the hospital.

"The Bel Air Police Department is fully cooperating with the IID as it conducts its independent investigation. The officer sustained physical injuries during the confrontation and was transported to a hospital for treatment. The officer was later released," the police department stated.

Anyone with information about this incident, including cell phone or private surveillance video, is asked to contact the IID at (410) 576–7070 or by email at IID@oag.maryland.gov.

The IID release the name of the decedent and any involved officers within two business days of the incident, although that period may be extended, if necessary, pursuant to IID protocol.

Officers were equipped with body-worn cameras. The IID release body-worn camera footage within 20 business days of an incident. There may be situations where more than 20 days is necessary, including if investigators need more time to complete witness interviews, if there are technical delays caused by the need to shield the identities of civilian witnesses or to allow family members to view the video before it is released to the public, the IID stated.