A community in mourning tonight after a police officer was killed in the line of duty.
RELATED: Baltimore County officer killed inlineof duty, armed suspects remain at large
It happened right outside Stefanie Kurek's house. She says her family acted quickly and bravely.
"My oldest son is a volunteer firefighter and he sat with her and stayed with her until the police and paramedics came on scene," said Kurek. "My husband and other son were out there as well helping the police."
The community near Seven Oaks Elementary School deeply impacted, unable to return to their homes and pick up their kids until dark as armed officers in bulletproof vests carefully blanketed the area looking for the suspects.
"Hopefully they can find these people because you can see everyone is concerned," said Patricia Magdaleno.
Dozens camped out in a grocery store parking lot because Seven Courts Drive was closed for hours. Families waiting to be reunited, Patricia daughter was home alone the whole time and she couldn't get to her.
"When we saw all the police we were scared she called us and said she was afraid," said Magdaleno
In a usually quiet community. A feeling a confusion, fear, and sadness.
People from out of the area coming to support Perry hall residents however they can.
"It is important to show that we are a community and people care and their not in this by themselves," said Joyce Defoor.
After this tragedy, they also have a message for law enforcement.
"We appreciate how much dedication they have to their jobs and they lay their lives out their daily," said Defoor.
