By Rachel Buchanan
HAMPDEN – The Baltimore Police Department and the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 3 held an American Red Cross blood drive on April 2 for Sgt. Keith McNeill, the victim of a near-fatal shooting on March 14.
Baltimore City Police Commissioner Anthony W. Batts said the off-duty officer was shot as many as 11 times in the upper torso through the doors of his Toyota Tundra around 7 p.m. outside an auto repair shop on the 1900 block of Belair Road.
The 19-year veteran assigned to the Eastern District was then rushed to the Maryland Shock Trauma Center in critical condition and underwent emergency surgery in the hours after the incident, according to Batts.
Police named the suspect as Gregg Thomas, 34, who turned himself in amid the citywide manhunt two days later. Batts said Thomas claims he is innocent, but turned himself in because he says he did not shoot McNeill and “[he is] not going to run away.” According to Batts, Thomas is behind bars without bail and is charged with first- and second-degree attempted murder.
At Thomas’ hearing on March 18, Batts said a prosecutor said the unnamed auto shop owner identified a blue Lincoln Continental fleeing the scene on the night of the incident. Police found and stopped the car moments later and the driver said Thomas had loaned it to him.
The car was registered to Thomas’ sister, Shaleana Gadson, 30, who had been told by the driver to report the car stolen, Batts said. The stolen car report drew police to the house of Thomas’ mother, Sharon, 51, on the 2900 block of Edmonson Avenue in West Baltimore. Batts said police found a .45-caliber gun that matched the weapon used in the shooting in Thomas’ home.
According to Batts, it is unknown whether McNeill was targeted or mistaken for someone else. Thomas is the only suspect named and the driver has not been identified or charged, Batts said. Deputy Police Commissioner Jerry Rodriguez said officers are still investigating motives in the case.
“This has hurt us tremendously,” Rodriguez said. “This is a much beloved member of the force who many of us know and work with, and it has affected us very deeply. The department gets shaken when things hit close to home.”
McNeill has been at the center since March 17, where he is responsive and listed in stable condition, according to lead surgeon Dr. Thomas Scalea. He is “cautiously optimistic” and said that McNeill has a long road to recovery. McNeill is still receiving treatment and will be held at the center until further notice, Scalea said.
Over 100 law enforcement officers, firefighters and retired policemen participated in the blood drive at the FOP Lodge, surpassing the event’s goal of obtaining 75 to 80 units of blood for area hospitals. Police said part of the lifesaving efforts for McNeill involved blood that was donated at the drive.
“As we continue to pray for Sgt. McNeill’s speedy recovery, [the blood drive] was a great opportunity to show your support for him by giving in his name,” Batts said. “Everyone who took a moment to participate saved a life in a different way.”