Police probe fatal officer-involved shooting in Parkville

Ryan Deitrich, 21, had knife, approached officers, police say

PARKVILLE, Md. —Baltimore County police are investigating a fatal officer-involved shooting in the Parkville area.

County police were called to the 8600 block of Oakleigh Road around 1:15 p.m. Tuesday to check on the welfare of a man who was there.

"When our officers responded, they found this man just outside the home. He was armed with a knife. He began threatening our officers with the knife," police spokeswoman Elise Armacost said.

Police identified that man Wednesday as Ryan Deitrich, 21, who lived on that block.

The officers backed off, but Deitrich continued after them, at which time an officer opened fire, shooting him multiple times, police said. Deitrich was taken to an area hospital, where he died early Wednesday morning.

Neighbors: police repeatedly told him to put knife down

Yale Cohen was sitting in his house near the intersection of Oakleigh and Trenleigh roads when he said he heard screaming.

"I heard, 'Drop it, drop it, drop it, drop it.' I leaned my head out the door, and from my point of view, I could see the policeman standing right there with his gun drawn.  He took a step back, and then it was 'bang bang bang bang,'" Cohen remembered.

 "The cops kept telling him, 'Put it down, put it down, put it down,' and he wouldn't put it down," said witness Olivia Mifotti.

Tactical units responded as a precaution to make sure no one else was inside the Oakleigh Road house. At least a dozen investigators were still at the scene more than seven hours later.

"I kept on going, and then came back around. Then they said I couldn't go home. I've had to stand out here for a long time," said neighbor Gail Johnson.

Investigators walked in and out of homes and interviewed neighbors. It's still unclear why Deitrich went after police.

Police didn't say how many shots were fired, but detectives placed at least 20 evidence markers next to shell casings on the street several hours after the shooting, 11 News reporter Kai Reed said.

Students at nearby Oakleigh Elementary School were kept inside for about 30 minutes after the school day because of the investigation.

None of the officers involved in the shooting were injured. They have been put on routine administrative duty as the investigation continues.