79-Year-Old Man Fatally Shot By Police In Pasadena Raised Weapon At Officers, Officials Say
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (WJZ) -- Anne Arundel County Police detailed what led to an officer-involved shooting during a welfare check in Pasadena last month.
Police were called to the 7800 block of Bodkin View Drive at 11 a.m. on March 18 after a member of a medical rehabilitation facility called 911 and said they were on the call with a man, later identified as Leonard John Popa, who made suicidal statements.
They were told 79-year-old Popa was possibly bedridden. Police Chief Amal Awad said the incident unfolded in a matter of minutes when Eastern District officers arrived at the home.
Responding officers knocked on the door, but Awad said there was no answer. They realized the door was unlocked, opened it and called inside.
Popa told the officers to come inside. When officers walked into the bedroom, they found Popa seated upright in his bed.
Popa told officers he had a handgun within reach, police said. Officers saw the handle of a gun coming from in between the mattresses.
Corporal T. Brennan, one of the responding officers, drew his firearm and ordered Popa to position himself away from the gun and not to touch the gun.
When Popa didn't respond, Cpl. Brennan repeated the order for Popa to stay away from the gun and even reholstered his gun, while he spoke to the man.
Instead, Popa reached for the gun and raised the weapon. Cpl. Brennan feared his life was in immediate danger and fired at Popa, Awad said.
Popa was shot once in the arm and once in the upper torso.
Officers on scene immediately began to render aid to Popa, but he died shortly thereafter.
"Unfortunately, Cpl. Brennan's attempts to speak with Mr. Popa throughout this engagement were unsuccessful," Awad said. "His attempts to deescalate were unsuccessful. And oftentimes it's difficult to deescalate a situation where a person has armed themselves."
Cpl. Brennan, a seven-year veteran of the department, is a certified crisis intervention specialist with the department. He is currently on administrative leave.
A loaded 9mm handgun was recovered from the scene.
"We again offer our condolences to the family of Mr. Popa and we asked for patience as we continue this investigation," Awad said.
Police said they're asking for patience as detectives continue with their investigation.
