Police Officer Wounded, Suspect Killed In N.W. Baltimore Shootout

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- A Baltimore police officer is wounded and a suspect is killed during a shootout in Northwest Baltimore.

Meghan McCorkell with the latest.

Investigators say shots were fired after two police officers confronted a man with a gun.

Neighbors describe hearing gunshot after gunshot around 7:45 p.m. Wednesday near Oakmount Avenue and Reisterstown Road.

"I was like, 'They're lighting up out there again,'" Liz Eddins said.

Investigators say two police officers were patrolling the area when they confronted a man with a gun.

"These officers were part of that team that were out here going after people, like this suspect, who have guns, that are on the street trying to harm communities," said T.J. Smith, Baltimore City Police Department.

The 32-year-old man fired at officers, who fired back.

One officer was shot in the leg. The suspect was killed.

Police Commissioner Kevin Davis was out on the scene Wednesday night.

"We ask these young police officers to go out here and do police work and to confront the people in our society who are harming us. It's been a tough year, and these police officers put themselves in harm's way day in and day out," Chief Davis said.

Liz Eddins says her sister was nearly caught in the crossfire.

"My sister just left my house and she was riding down the street. She had to put her car in reverse because she heard the fire and saw the fire coming from guns," she said.

Neighbors are upset seeing more bloodshed in the community.

"It's got a lot to do with the parenting and the neighborhood. If you ain't raising your kid right, then this is the type of thing that happens," said Mervin Cook.

Now investigators will try to sort out how this happened.

The injured officer is a five-year veteran of the force. He is expected to be OK and is recovering at Shock Trauma.

Police are not yet identifying the 32-year-old man who was killed.