MTA Officer Shoots Suspect In The Foot Near Mondawmin Mall
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Gunfire erupted at the Mondawmin Mall bus station. A man is now recovering after being shot in the foot by a police office with the Maryland Transit Administration.
Rochelle Ritchie spoke exclusively with the man's family, who say the shooting isn't justified.
The family says the man was coming home from classes at a nearby college when he was shot. MTA officials say the officer feared for her life and had no choice but to shoot.
Terrifying moments at the Mondawmin bus station after 33-year-old Eugene Doose was shot by an MTA police officer.
"I just this that is pretty crazy that happened. I just got out here and heard about it," said Laila Glasgow.
MTA officials say the man was driving a white car when he was pulled over by the officer for pulling into a bus loop. That's when a routine traffic stop turned violent.
"The operator jumped out of the car and started running away on foot," said Terry Owens, MTA.
MTA officials say as the man was running away, another officer was running toward the scene. That officer told him to stop. He didn't, and that's when she shot him. The man's shoe is being used as evidence.
Doose's family says the force used was unnecessary.
"It's enough crime going on out here. It's enough period to have the police shooting you because you made the wrong turn. It doesn't make any sense," said his fiancee, LaShari Marshall.
MTA officials disagree.
"The officer had a suspect running toward her and obviously feared for her life and fired a shot to stop the suspect," Owens said.
MTA officers are trained police officers and have just as much authority as any other cop. But with dozens of people around, bystanders question the officer's actions.
"Anybody could have got shot. Look at all those people over there waiting," said Beverly Reid.
Doose was taken to Sinai Hospital, where he is recovering. His family says he was coming from a class at a nearby college and ran because of an embedded fear of cops.
"Harassed by the police, thrown on the ground, you know, in east Baltimore. He's scared of the police," said his father, Herman Ellis.
The suspect's family says he was unarmed.
Baltimore City police are now investigating. The MTA officer is on paid administrative leave.
