Officer who shot recruit during training exercise sentenced

William Kern to serve 60 days in prison for shooting of Raymond Gray

BALTIMORE —The Baltimore City police officer who accidentally shot a cadet in the head during a training exercise was sentenced Tuesday to time in jail.

William Kern, a 16-year veteran of the force, was sentenced by a judge to 18 months in jail, with all but 60 days of that suspended.

Kern was convicted during a trial in October of reckless endangerment for shooting and critically injuring University of Maryland police recruit Raymond Gray. The shooting happened when Kern fired a real weapon instead of his practice weapon during a training exercise in Owings Mills in February. 

"I'm sorry for the grief I've caused Mr. Gray and the Gray family. This is something I'm going to live with for the rest of my life," Kern said before the sentencing.

"I don't question that he's sorry. I don't challenge that at all.  I don't think he's an evil person. Unquestionably he is sorry, but he still needs to be punished for what he did," said Assistant State's Attorney John Cox. 

During the trial, prosecutors said Kern had an unhealthy attachment to his gun and twice during the exercise pulled it out rather than the simulation pistol. Kern said he was trying to teach the recruits a lesson about peering through windows and gathering at doors and hallways.

"To be there with a loaded service weapon on his hip when he's engaged in a simulation exercise is something that is outrageous. He created a long-lasting effect on the life and family of somebody," Cox said.

Gray's aunt said the family wasn't happy with the sentence Kern got.  

"The family is very, very hurt, and we're very disappointed. That's all I can say," Gray's aunt said. "I would just like for it to have been served. I don't think it was served today."

Gray lost sight in one eye and is still recovering at an out-of-state brain injury facility. Referring to Gray, the aunt said, "He's not doing well at all. He just had a seizure last week, another one."

Kern could have faced up to five years in prison. He will serve his sentence at the Baltimore County Detention Center and will also have to undergo psychological and psychiatric screenings as part of the court order.

The Baltimore City Police Department issued a statement Tuesday evening, stating, "Today's sentencing brings to a close this painful chapter in our history. While the Gray family continues to heal, we remain committed to ensuring that the training environment is as safe as it can be for our officers and trainees. Our process will be continuous as we work to incorporate best practices into all of our training and day-to-day procedures and raise the standards of the Baltimore Police Department. Throughout this reform process we remain cognizant of the lives forever impacted by this event. The Professional Standards and Accountability Bureau will move forward with the administrative investigation into this matter as we continue to hold all of our officers accountable for their actions."

The Gray family has filed a violation of civil rights lawsuit in federal court.