Armed Man Enters Baltimore Police Precinct, Claims He's With BGF
BALTIMORE (WJZ) --- Police say the Black Guerilla Family gang sent an armed man into a police precinct.
Christie Ileto has the details.
A loaded .22 caliber gun is discovered inside a Northeast substation. The gunman, Jason Armstrong, tells cops the Black Guerilla Family sent him to "test security."
"That is alarming for us, that is alarming to me," Baltimore Police Commissioner Anthony Batts said.
Top brass find the man's story credible, suggesting his lawlessness was forced by the gang.
When asked what's the message they were trying to deliver....
"We're not dead regardless of what happened, in the Baltimore jail, we're a gang that's very much alive and well," defense attorney Tom Maronick Jr. said.
BGF made national headlines last year for running a drug smuggling and prostitution ring behind bars.
Tom Maronick Jr. has represented accused BGF defendents.
"This is a very well organized gang," Maronick said. "They don't play around."
BGF is a gang with deep roots in both the prison system and Baltimore neighborhoods. They are notoriously linked to shootings and selling drugs.
Residents are surprised this even happened.
"These incidents are alarming," Mike Hilliard said.
This incident follows the December assassination of two New York City cops, amid rising national frustrations among residents with police brutality.
Mike Hilliard is a retired major with Baltimore Police Department, now heading Harbel Community Organization.
When asked if officers should be afraid...
"I don't think you're ever afraid, but when incidents like this come along, you become more cautious, you become far more aware of your surroundings," Hilliard said.
Top brass are now warning cops to be alert for BGF gang members, as this pillar of safety at 1900 Argonne was almost a crime scene.
Baltimore police say they not only found a loaded gun on the suspect, but also cocaine and marijuana.
Armstrong faces weapons and drug charges.
This is the second incident in five months that someone has brought a gun into a city police station.
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