Officer Identified In Sunday's Police-Involved Shooting
BALTIMORE (WJZ) – A man was shot multiple times by a Baltimore officer after being pulled over for a traffic stop.
Police released video of the suspect Monday afternoon that shows him just seconds before he was shot Sunday afternoon. Their goal is to be transparent during this investigation.
Video shows a man charging aggressively at an officer moments after he was stopped for a traffic violation on the 1000 block of North Fremont Avenue. The video was caught on a city street camera one block away.
On Tuesday, the officer was identified as 49-year-old David Austin. He has been on the force since 2008, police said.
"The officer attempted to back up, tactically retreat, which resulted in the officer withdrawing his weapon in an officer-involved shooting," said Baltimore Police Deputy Commissioner Jerry Rodriguez.
The 34-year-old man was shot four times in the upper torso. Police say he was unarmed.
The Baltimore City police department has recently come under fire for using excessive force. Showing the video and supporting body cams are all part of the department's effort to be transparent.
The circuit camera was being monitored by another officer. When he saw the suspect charge at police, he sent out a call for help and multiple units responded.
"Backup officers attempted to restrain the individual, which resulted in the Taser being deployed," Rodriguez said.
After being shot multiple times by a gun and Taser, police were able to apprehend him and take the suspect to a hospital.
People who live in the area say it's shocking a man was shot in their neighborhood.
"It's crazy when it happens so close because usually you just see it on TV," said Gerald Smith, who lives nearby.
Police are now trying to figure out why the suspect was so combative and tried to attack the officer.
"I can tell you in my near 30 years of policing, it is very unusual and appears to be very threatening, very menacing," Rodriguez said.
