By Tim Barbalace
Baltimore Watchdog Staff Writer
UPDATE — Baltimore County Police Chief Jim Johnson yesterday defended the officer who fatally shot a man in Reistertown last Tuesday, saying the 10-year veteran thought the suspect had a weapon.
Police also released a 50-second video of the incident that shows the officer firing one shot at the suspect after the man appears to be pulling something from his waistband.
Johnson said Officer Earomirski “is one of my finest officers,” adding that this is the first time he has been involved in a shooting. The chief said Earomirski had one second to make a life or death decision, adding that the video shows that the officer had every reason to believe the suspect was armed and dangerous.
Police are only required to release the last name of officers who are involved in shooting incidents. However, the Baltimore Sun reported that the only officer with that last name in a county database is David S. Earomirski. The same name is identified as a county police officer on the ZoomInfo online database.
According to police, Earomirski is assigned to Precinct 3 in Franklin and began his service with the Baltimore County Police Department in 2005.
The suspect fatally shot by Earomirski on Wednesday is Keith Harrison McLeod, 19, police said. According to police, McLeod’s last known address is the 1200 block of Faraday Place NE, Washington, D.C.
Johnson said that witnesses told police that they heard Earomirski repeatedly telling the suspect, “Don’t do this,” and McLeod repeatedly telling the officer, “I’m going to kill you.”
In the video, Earomirski can be seen holding his gun out as McLeod moves aggressively toward the officer. The suspect has his hand behind his back and then appears to swing his right arm forward as if taking something out of his waistband.
Earomirski fires the shot just as McLeod’s arm raises up and points toward the officer.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1Mx5u298io
Original Story
A Baltimore County police officer fatally shot an unarmed man Tuesday near a Reisterstown pharmacy after the suspect threatened the officer and appeared to pull a weapon from his waistband, police said today.
The officer’s name, rank and assignment will be released within 48 hours, per an agreement with the local police union. Police said the officer has been placed on administrative leave, which is standard procedure whenever an officer is involved in a shooting.
The name and address of the man, who was shot three times and was declared dead at Northwest Hospital, will be released after police notify next of kin, police said.
Detectives said they obtained video evidence from nearby businesses that captures the confrontation that began outside the NatureCARE Pharmacy at 40 Main St. in Reisterstown and ended across the street after a foot chase.
According to police, the footage shows the suspect aggressively advancing on a single officer, who retreats with his gun drawn. The suspect reached around to the small of his back and abruptly whipped his hand around and pointed it toward the officer as if with a weapon, police said.
The officer fired his gun as the suspect brought his hand forward from his waistband, police said. Police said the suspect refused to comply and kept reaching into his waistband.
Witnesses told detectives that they heard the officer repeatedly giving the suspect commands to “stop,” and that they heard the suspect shouting profanities at the officer.
Police said the state Medical Examiner confirmed that the suspect was shot three times. Three shots were fired, police said.
A weapon was not found on the man, police said.
Narcotics detectives said the suspect tried to obtain Promethazine plus Codeine using a forged prescription at the NatureCARE Pharmacy. The pharmacist notified the police and the officer responded, police said.
Police said the officer located the suspect in the parking lot outside the pharmacy. The suspect led the officer on a foot chase that continued across Main Street and behind businesses on the east side of the street, police said.
This is an ongoing homicide investigation that will be reviewed by the Baltimore County state’s attorney.