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Police-Involved Shooting Under Investigation In Middle River

MIDDLE RIVER, Md. (WJZ) -- There are still a lot of unanswered questions after a Baltimore County police officer shoost a man in the early morning hours.

Ava-joye Burnett with what's known and unknown about the traffic stop that ended with gunfire.

The police department says the officer feared for his life, and that's why he pulled the trigger.

Some are shocked, and others, not so much after what happened in Middle River.

"In this neighborhood--as bad as it is--a lot of drugs going on around here, a lot of people doing wrong things. You've got to kind of come to expect it," said Robert Stoneburner.

On Thursday morning, an officer tried to pull over a driver suspected of dealing drugs.

Police say what happened next forced that officer to shoot.

"It's important to note that the passenger made certain movements going towards his waistband area, and making that sudden turn that placed the officer in fear for his life that that person had a weapon," said Cpl. John Wachter, Baltimore County Police Department.

According to police, the suspect did not have a weapon on him, but once they searched that vehicle, they found a loaded handgun inside.

Police say they also found drugs on the scene.

The man who was shot was taken to the hospital.

Police have not said how he's doing right now, leaving some folks with even more questions.

"To me, that time of the morning, it seems like why wouldn't you even have backup before you even would stop somebody at 2 o'clock in the morning?" said Marty Williams.

Police do have surveillance video from the area. They are reviewing it now, and that could help to answer some questions.

The officer involved in the shooting is now on administrative status.

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