WOODLAWN, Md. — Police flooded the area around Security Square Mall Tuesday morning.
The Baltimore Police Department says their Warrant Apprehension Task Force was at the location trying to track down 32-year-old Justin Powell, who was wanted on a warrant from a June 19 murder that occurred in the 1000 block of W. Lanvale Street.
When detectives approached Powell's vehicle in the mall parking lot, he reportedly got out and shot two detectives.
Multiple officers returned fire, killing Powell.
The wounded detectives were taken to Shock Trauma and are expected to survive. The two wounded detectives are Anthony Lansey and Earl Thompson. Detective Lansey has been a member of BPD since March 1993 and Detective Thompson since September of 1996.
"Building a safer Baltimore requires us to hold violent offenders accountable. That’s exactly what our Warrant Apprehension Task Force does each day," said Mayor Brandon Scott. "I’m deeply thankful that both officers are alert and upbeat. I wish them a full recovery and ask you to pray for their families."
Baltimore County Police are handling the criminal investigation, while Baltimore City’s Special Investigations Response Team has taken over the internal police involved aspect.
