By: Michael Watts II
The violence America has seen these past few weeks still continues, as another shooting has occurred. First it was Alton Sterling in Baton Rouge, next was Philando Castile in Minnesota, then recently five police officers were killed during a peaceful protest in Dallas, Texas and now America turns the map to go Northeast to Baltimore, Maryland where another shooting and fatal death has occurred involving police officers.
Baltimore Police Spokesperson T.J Smith reported to CBS that “Four plain clothes officers wearing tactical vests in an unmarked vehicle were driving along the 2300 block of Winchester St. around 9:30 p.m. when they heard gunshots ring out.”
CBS also reported that “The police officers traced the gunshots to a parking lot of an apartment complex in West Baltimore, where authorities say that Dayten Harper opened fire at the officers. Dayten was struck at some point as the officers returned fire.” according to the Baltimore police. “Dayten retreated, but was found on the second level of the apartment complex and taken to the hospital, where he eventually died.”
Dayten was using an AR-15 style weapon at the police.
After Dayten’s death, the Baltimore Police identified the officers involved in the shooting. The officers are Warren Benn and Christopher Thomas. According to the Baltimore Police Department, Benn is a 16-year veteran and Thomas is a six-year veteran.
“Both officers have been placed on administrative leave, which is a routine policy for all officer-involved shootings.”, said T. J Smith, Baltimore Police Spokesperson.
The police reported to CBS that “It’s not yet clear exactly who or what Dayten was shooting at before the officers’ arrival.”
A group of children at a nearby basketball court told WJZ’s Rick Ritter they heard several “heavy” gunshots and then ran home.
