Investigators Name Teen, Police Involved In Deadly Northeast Baltimore Shooting

BALTIMORE, MD — Four days after a man drove at officers and was killed by police in Baltimore, the attorney general released the identities of those involved.

Donnell Rochester, 18, of Odenton, was driving a vehicle of interest in a carjacking/robbery case in northeastern Baltimore City when he was shot, according to the attorney general's office.

A license plate reader alerted police to a vehicle of interest in the case around 3:15 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 19, and officers watched the driver park and get out of the vehicle in the 3200 block of Hillen Road, according to the Baltimore Police Department.

When officers approached, police said the suspect got back into the car and as law enforcement unsuccessfully tried to pry open the doors, the driver accelerated toward an officer, who fired his weapon before being hit by the vehicle. A second officer also fired his weapon, police reported.

Rochester, who was shot, got out of the vehicle on his own, and officers rendered aid until medical personnel arrived, according to investigators.

He was taken to an area hospital, where he was later pronounced deceased, authorities said.

"Our officers were in an area doing exactly what we ask them to do — to try to prevent armed robberies, [and] catch those who commit" crimes, Police Commissioner Michael Harrison said.

"The officers acted" on the information available to them, Harrison added, including that there was a possible warrant out for the arrest of the vehicle's owner, reportedly linked to a robbery.

"Women, children, school children have been robbed or carjacked" in this area of northeast Baltimore, Mayor Brandon Scott said at a news conference over the weekend. "The officers were here doing what we asked them to do because of what this community has been asking of me and the police ... to deal with the robberies and carjackings."

Officer Robert Mauri, who has been with the Baltimore Police Department 4.5 years, and Officer Connor Murray, who has worked there for 3.5 years, were identified as those who shot their guns.

None of the officers was hurt, according to the police commissioner.

The Attorney General's Independent Investigations Division is still working on the case and said Wednesday that police may release body-worn camera footage from the incident.

A law that took effect last fall requires the Office of the Attorney General to investigate all police-involved fatalities in Maryland as of Oct. 1, 2021. The agency is required to release names of those involved within 48 hours, but can extend that period if an officer's safety may be in danger.