Baltimore Teacher Held Without Bond In Catonsville Cop Shooting Case

CATONSVILLE, MD — A Baltimore teacher wanted to die at the hands of police when he shot a police officer recently in Catonsville, his attorney said at a Friday bail review.

WBAL-TV reported that defense attorney Tony Garcia said Andrew Robert Britt, 27, "was suffering from a mental health catastrophic moment."

"What I can say is that this is an effort to commit suicide. That's what this is. This is a deliberate attempt to end his life, and what I believe is that something snapped in his mind," Garcia said, according to WBAL.

Judge Krystin J. Richardson ordered Britt to be held without bond, court records show.

"These are very serious allegations," Richardson said, according to The Baltimore Banner. "This court has concerns for public safety."

Deputy State's Attorney John Cox said Britt was "obviously a danger to the community and a risk of flight," The Banner reported.

The Banner said Garcia and his client are considering whether to plea not criminally responsible.

The suspect faces two counts of attempted first-degree murder among other charges, the case file says.

Britt is a teacher at Liberty Elementary School. Baltimore City Public Schools said he is on leave.

Details On Shooting

Baltimore County Police Chief Robert McCullough said the shooting happened on March 13 around 2:30 p.m. during a shift change at the Wilkens Precinct.

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," striking him in the torso. A press release said the wounded officer was shot while standing outside his vehicle.

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

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

The officer who was shot was released from the hospital on March 16.

Related:

• Teacher Served Jail Time Before Being Charged With Shooting Cop: Court
• Baltimore Teacher Is Catonsville Officer Shooting Suspect: Report
• Officer Shooting Suspect IDed Day After Wounded Cop Leaves Hospital
• Charges Pending After Officer Shot, Officers Who Returned Fire Placed On Leave
• Officer Shot Outside Catonsville Police Station Near UMBC

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