Officer identified in shooting of vehicle from behind
City police have identified the officer who last week fired his weapon at a car that was driving away after ignoring a roadblock.
Officer Richard J. McCarthy, a 25-year veteran and member of the accident investigation unit, is on administrative suspension as homicide detectives investigate the Friday afternoon shooting. The victim, a 56-year-old man, was injured after the officer fired at his back window and he crashed his pickup truck into a wall on Falls Road.
Police Commissioner Frederick H. Bealefeld III, who expressed concern over the incident, said Friday that McCarthy had blocked the ramp to I-83 at West 28th Street for a wide load. The driver, who Bealefeld has a minor criminal record and has not been identified by police, ignored the officer’s commands not to drive around the roadblock, and the officer fired at the vehicle as he drove onto I-83.
Police say it is not clear why McCarthy decided to fire his weapon or whether he believed he was in danger. Homicide detectives, as a matter of policy, investigate all police involved shootings.
McCarthy had no prior disciplinary record related to shootings, said police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi. The police union has said it supports the officer as the investigation continues. McCarthy was identified as part of a revised policy in which police identify officers involved in shootings after a period of 48 hours.Categories: North Baltimore, Police shootings
Comments
I look forward to the Officer's justification for such an inappropriate use of deadly force.
Posted by: Paul | July 12, 2010 4:25 PM
these off's done gone crazy. just shoot at antbody.wtf
Posted by: ray johnson | July 12, 2010 7:03 PM
I hope they do nothing to the officer. It should be happening more. People think they can do anything they want & ignore the law. Should be more if you run you get shot vic police chasing on foot.
Posted by: Jim Carberry | July 13, 2010 6:47 AM
The use of deadly force by a police officer is justifiable only if the officer's life or the lives of citizens are posed with a clear and present danger. The driver was driving away from the officer. If I threw a rock as a car driving away from me I could be arrested. This officer opened fire with his firearm? A trained officer who passed the academy tests by knowing correct police procedures and ignored them? A 25 year veteran of the force? I hope, for his sake, that they do not select me for jury duty in his case.
Posted by: Jim | July 13, 2010 9:17 PM