Charges Pending After Officer Shot, Officers Who Returned Fire Placed On Leave

Last updated Friday at 2:49 p.m.

CATONSVILLE, MD — Charges are pending against the unidentified suspect accused of shooting a police officer in the torso Thursday in Catonsville, a press release said Friday afternoon.

The officers who returned fire and shot the suspect multiple times in the lower body were placed on administrative leave, authorities said. This is normal investigation protocol for officer-involved shootings.

Police said the injured officer is recovering from surgery.

The suspect remains hospitalized in critical but stable condition as of Friday afternoon, the press release said.

Authorities have not identified the injured officer, who has served in the Baltimore County Police Department for seven years.

"We keep him and his family in our prayers, and we also keep the members of the Baltimore County Police Department in our prayers," Chief Robert McCullough said at a Thursday evening press conference.

Police said the shooting happened around 2:30 p.m. during a shift change at the Wilkens Precinct. The police station at 901 Walker Ave. is located near the University of Maryland, Baltimore County.

McCullough said the suspect entered the precinct lobby, spoke with the desk officers and left the building. He then went around the side of the station and talked with an officer filling up at the gas pump.

The chief said the gunman walked away from the officer at the pump, before turning back, this time with a handgun.

McCullough said the suspect then "fired several shots at that officer."

Authorities said two other officers, including the officer who was shot, were in the parking lot during the shooting.

The press release said the wounded officer was shot while standing outside his vehicle.

"Our men and women, they put their lives on the line every day when they come to work, and they're willing to sacrifice their lives for people that they don't even know," McCullough said. "When you show up for work … you don't have on your mind that your life's going to be in danger in that moment."

The injured officer arrived around 3 p.m. at the University of Maryland R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore, his doctor said.

"He was immediately taken into the operating room," Dr. Thomas Scalea said at the press conference. "He is in guarded condition under very close observation."

Related: Officer Shot Outside Catonsville Police Station Near UMBC

This map shows the station where police said the shooting happened.