PARKVILLE, Md. (WMAR) — The mother of the officer that was shot by friendly fire in Parkville on May 2 is thanking everyone for their support and kind words as her daughter is expected to make a full recovery.
READ MORE: Officer-involved shooting in Parkville
The Sarasota Police Department shared a video of Officer First Class Tabitha Hays' mother, Bernadette DiPino, who serves as the Chief of the Sarasota Police Department in Florida. In the video, Chief DiPino expressed her gratitude towards the members of the community that sent kind words and uplifted her family in prayers after the police-involved shooting.
"A phone call that a mother never wants to receive about a police officer, especially your own daughter. I just want to thank you all for the many outpouring of expression of hope and prayer during this time," said Chief DiPino. "So on behalf of the DiPino family, on behalf of my daughter Tabitha, thank you so much and keep those prayers going."
WATCH THE FULL VIDEO BELOW:
Officer Hays was shot in the line of duty after police were called to a home at 3006 Linwood Avenue for reports of a person with a gun. Police say officers at the scene were confronted by a man with a gun, later identified as Robert Uhl Johnson. During the confrontation with Johnson, Hays and three other officers fired their weapons. Hays was taken to Shock Trauma following the incident and police determined she was shot by friendly fire.
The case is being reviewed by the Baltimore Police Department Homicide Unit and then by the State's Attorney's Office.
