Violent standoff in Cockeysville turns into two-day manhunt ending in Fallston, two cops shot, one serious
(A more clean-cut image of David Emory Linthicum, Photo credit: BCPD)
Several Harford County Schools were closed today due to violence that erupted in Cockeysville beginning on Wednesday that made its way to Fallston. Harford County Schools announced this morning that, “due to police activity in the Fallston area, and a police-imposed shelter in place, Youth’s Benefit Elementary, Fallston Middle, and Fallston High schools are CLOSED today, Friday, February 10, 2023.”
“This means that students will not be able to utilize the Fallston high bus depot for magnet programs. Students who live in the shelter in place order and attend Harford Tech, John Archer, and regional programs for special education, will not receive bus service as buses are not able to travel into the area.” ~ HCPS
On Wednesday, February 8, the Baltimore County Police Department announced that at 2:30 p.m., officers responded to the 10000 block of Powers Avenue in Cockeysville in reference to a “person in crisis.” Once on scene, a family member escorted officers to the person. As officers interacted with the male subject, he discharged a firearm.
One Baltimore County Police Officer was injured in that shooting. The officer was taken to an area hospital where he was listed in stable condition. A manhunt then commenced for the shooter, identified as 24-year-old David Emory Linthicum.
Police described Linthicum as being 5’7”, 165 pounds, with auburn colored hair, brown eyes, and a beard. Police added that Linthicum was to be considered “armed and dangerous.”
Late Thursday night, the Harford County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) announced that they had an “active incident” in the Fallston area and that all citizens in the area of Route 152, Route 1, Old Joppa Road and Milton Avenue were advised to shelter in place and avoid the area. The Sheriff’s Office kept in touch with the public via social media, advising that no gunshots had been fired in that area and to “please refrain from sharing tactical information” on social media.
Around 1 a.m. today, HCSO provided an update to say that their thoughts and prayers are with the BCPD officers who were injured by the suspect on August 8 and that Harford County deputies were actively assisting the Baltimore County PD to help apprehend the suspect involved in the shootings.
While this operation was underway, the second incident occurred wounding a second police officer. From that incident there was a pursuit into Harford County that came to an end in the area of the Fallston Mall at 9:41 pm.
We have a person we believe is the suspect, a perimeter is set, and we are working to bring this incident to a peaceful resolution.
This incident has spanned over two days and affected countless citizens. I want to thank the citizens for their vigilance and patience.” ~HCSO
At 5:46 a.m. today, Harford County provided a final update to say that they had the suspect in custody.
Officers placed David Emory Linthicum in custody at 5:43 a.m., following a car chase from Cockeysville into Fallston, where police stopped the vehicle he was driving, and then surrounded Linthicum for eight hours in a wooded area near the Fallston Mall Shopping Center.
Police used spike strips to stop the vehicle he was driving, which authorities say he stole from a Baltimore County Police detective who they believe he shot in Cockeysville. ~ The Baltimore Sun
At a press conference early this morning, HCSO Sheriff Jeffrey R. Gahler stated that no-one was injured during the arrest proceedings and that Linthicum resisted to a minor degree when being cuffed – but was ultimately taken into custody “as peacefully as possible.”
Regarding the second Baltimore County Police Officer shot Thursday night by Linthicum, WBAL-TV reports that the BCPD officer, a detective, was seriously injured. He is currently in Shock Trauma and in stable condition. Shock Trauma physician-in-chief Dr. Thomas Scalea said the detective is on life-support after suffering multiple gunshot wounds to the torso, according to WBAL.
For more on the story, see the video accompanying this article.
Posted by Richard Webster, Ace News Today / Follow Richard on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram
