Baltimore police release bodycam video from shooting near Lexington Market
Police: Video shows man driving at officer before shots fired, bystanders threw bottles at officers
Baltimore police released body-worn camera video of last week’s police shooting near Lexington Market in which the driver of a car was critically injured.
Raw video above: BPD bodycam video of shooting released (Explicit)
Baltimore Police Commissioner Rich Worley said the video reveals an unprovoked attack on Officer Samuel Thomas, who was enforcing a quality-of-life issue by writing a traffic ticket on Aug. 22.
Tyrik Braxton, 29, of Columbia, initially denied owning the car, city police said. Thomas issued a ticket while waiting for a tow truck to remove a car with expired tags.
“He was being a nice guy and allowed Mr. Braxton to get into the car to get his belongings before the tow (truck arrived); he didn’t have to do that,” Worley said.
As Thomas started removing the front license plate, the video shows Braxton getting into the car and begin to drive at the officer.
The video shows Thomas holding onto the car with his left hand while firing three rounds with his right hand. Braxton was struck twice in the side.
Thomas had already called for back-up, and Braxton’s car hit an arriving patrol car as Braxton tried to pull away.
“He’s on the hood, and he already knows other police cars are coming up behind him. So, he can’t go to the left because the officer’s going to try to block him in, and you hear when Mr. Braxton takes off, he actually hits the other police car,” Worley said.
While Thomas helped Braxton, a large crowd gathered and tried to interfere, police said.
“Officer Thomas immediately pulls Braxton from the vehicle and begins to render aid until paramedics arrive,” Baltimore Deputy Police Commissioner Brian Nadeau said.
BPD’s Foxtrot helicopter captured video of people throwing bottles at city police and Maryland Transit Administration police officers who were trying to de-escalate the crowd. Authorities said no one was hurt.
“Our officers are rendering aid to try to help save the individual, and the crowd is hindering that,” Worley said. “My concern is for the people’s lack and disregard for the law and refusing to comply to lawful orders, (which) is why we end up with police-involved shootings. I mean, here’s another incident where he gets shot over a parking ticket and losing his car.”
Braxton remained listed in critical condition as of Friday.
Thomas was treated for back and neck injuries.
Officials: Driver shot by BPD after striking officer during attempted tow near Lexington Market
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