Sgt. Keith McNeill shot while running errands, police say
The man wanted by police in the shooting of an officer in east Baltimore Friday evening turned himself in Sunday.
The man wanted by police in the shooting of an officer in east Baltimore Friday evening turned himself in Sunday.
"A member of our police family was shot last (Friday) night in a cowardly act of violence," Police Commissioner Anthony Batts said.
The off-duty officer, identified on Saturday as 19-year veteran Sgt. Keith McNeill, was shot around 7 p.m. Friday in the 1900 block of Belair Road, where he was targeted while running errands, Batts said. Bullet holes riddled the driver's side window of his personal pickup truck. McNeill was shot several times in the upper torso.
Police have conducted a number of raids, some connected, some not connected to the case, and they are following up on every possible lead, Batts said.
A suspect identified as Gregg Thomas, 34, turned himself in Sunday after a two-day manhunt.
"One less suspect , one less killer on the streets of Baltimore," Batts said. "We don't know the motive. I don't know why you would walk up to some one in a car and shoot them multiple times. All I can say is I thank God that my officer is still alive. I do thank God that his family will not be without a husband or a dad."
Thomas, who city police designated as public enemy No. 1, had been the focus of a dragnet that involved state police, officers from surrounding jurisdictions and two federal agencies.
Police considered Thomas armed and dangerous. Court records indicate he has a violent criminal history that includes serving time in 2003 for second-degree murder.
"Gregg Thomas is a coward. In early 2000, he took a human life, he went to prison for an amount of time, he got out early, he ambushed my officer. Gregg Thomas is a coward," Batts said.
Batts said detectives are going to retrace Thomas' steps, and if they determined anyone helped him, they too will face charges.
Anyone with information related to the case is asked to call police at 410-396-2100
410-396-2100.
410-396-2100. |
| Police name a suspect in the shooting of a police officer: Gregg Thomas, 34, who is 6 feet 1 inch tall and 169 pounds. Police said Thomas has a history of violence in the city and should be considered armed and dangerous. |
Police also arrested Thomas' 51-year-old mother, Sharon, and 30-year-old sister, Shalena Gadson, on outstanding warrants for various drug charges.
Batts said he got a thumbs-up when he visited McNeill Saturday night and talked with him about giving him some chocolate chip cookies, the sergeant's favorite, when he gets out of the hospital.
"As we shared with him what we were doing, after talking to his bride, his high school sweetheart, he gave a thumbs up. Very courageous man, very honorable man, and a very popular employee," Batts said.
McNeill's wife, Danielle, issued a statement thanking police, saying, "I appreciate everyone's prayers, support and the long hours you put in to catch the man who shot Keith. I love all of you just as much as you have showed your love for Keith."
Deputy Police Commissioner Jerry Rodriguez said Friday night officers were following up on leads in the case.
"This has hurt us tremendously. This is a much beloved member of the force who many of us knew and worked with, and it has affected us very deeply. The Police Department has been shaken when it's this close to home," Rodriguez said.
McNeill remains at Shock Trauma in critical but stable condition. Batts said McNeill was responsive when he last spoke with him at his bedside. Batts said Dr. Thomas Scalea, the lead surgeon, was cautiously optimistic and said McNeill has a long, long road to go.
McNeill is assigned to an administrative position in the Eastern District.
Thomas' brother, Lamont, was arrested Wednesday for alleged drug running, police said. Batts questioned how his mother, who lives in public housing, managed to bail him out.
"I'm sure the Internal Revenue (Service) is going to want to know the answers to that," Batts said.
The police commissioner said Lamont Thomas' drug case is not related to the shooting of the sergeant.
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