Officer In Barricade Situation To Be Charged With Attempted Murder

BEL AIR, Md. (WJZ) -- Wild shootout! A barricade situation in Harford County ended with a Baltimore County police officer being wounded and taken into custody. Deputies say the off-duty cop refused to come out of his home and eventually fired shots in their direction.

Rick Ritter has more on the incident that forced a quiet neighborhood to take shelter for hours.

James Ward is a 19-year veteran with the Baltimore County police department. Deputies say he was drinking heavily and was suicidal when he started firing shots.

"We didn't know where the bullets were coming from," said neighbor William Kendall.

Harford County deputies found themselves in the middle of a barricade situation with a least likely suspect: A Baltimore County police officer. Around noon Thursday, deputies responded to the home of 42-year-old James Ward, an off-duty officer they say was drinking heavily and fired shots after a domestic dispute.

"He had been drinking; he was suicidal and he was having some issues," said Harford County Major William Davis.

Deputies blocked off the Bright Oaks neighborhood.

"It just kept coming," said neighbor Ron Mack. "More and more and more police."

They started talking with Ward over the phone. Negotiations lasted for hours before both sides exchanged gunfire.

"He had come to the window a few times. At the last time he came to the window, he started firing shots out the window at our deputies," Davis said.

Deputies' bullets injured Ward and they were able to take him into custody.

"You seen the SWAT guys carrying him from both sides with his feet dragging," said Kendall.

A 19-year veteran with Baltimore County, Ward worked in the White Marsh precinct. Neighbors tell WJZ Thursday's incident left them stunned because Ward was known as a nice man. But deputies say the circumstances were a recipe for chaos.

"When it comes to alcohol and mental health issues, they're certainly not a good mix," Davis said.

Ward was taken to Shock Trauma with serious but non-life threatening injuries. Baltimore County police say he'll be suspended without pay. He's likely to face assault charges when he's released from the hospital.

The Harford County deputies involved in the shooting have been placed on routine administrative leave.