BALTIMORE (WBFF) — A confrontation between citizens and officers conducting a street arrest in west Baltimore led to accusations of assault on police last week.
Police had been in the 1300 block of North Carey Street to arrest a man around 3 p.m. on March 9. During that time, the officers were approached by “a group of pedestrians” who allegedly attempted to interfere with the arrest process, according to court records.
The interaction between the officers and citizens led to the arrest of Keishawn Garner, 22, and Ashley Torrence, 23.
LISTEN | Police arrest two people following a confrontation in west Baltimore
Charging documents describe how officers “formed a barrier on the sidewalk to prevent the group of pedestrians from interfering” with the arrest of the man.
“Mr. Garner was distinctly upset and continually attempted to interfere and confronted P/O Mandy. Mr. Garner is observed on [body-worn camera] directly spitting onto P/O Mandy’s face,” court records state.
Police said the spital was deliberate and missed the officer’s mouth by “just inches.” The charging documents note that “a human bite or even human saliva is a harbinger of numerous viruses, bacterial infections, and a transmitter of numerous diseases requiring the utmost care and diligence.”
After the spit landed on the officer’s beard, the officer attempted to arrest Garner, but experienced some difficulty. At that point, Garner allegedly tried to hide behind the crowd and flee.
Court records state that multiple officers had “to push in and pull Mr. Garner from a car he attempted to enter.”
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Police alleged that Torrence tried to prevent the arrest of Garner. Court records state that she approached police “with her arms raised over her head and appeared about to strike” them.
“This assault on police and disorderly conduct gathered a large crowd who all began to observe the commotion that was spiraling into the city street obstructing the free flow of traffic,” court records state.
Officers removed Garner and Torrence from the site of the confrontation, according to the charging documents. Eventually, they were transported to the Baltimore Central Booking & Intake Facility.
Police charged Garner with second-degree assault, disorderly conduct, obstruction and hindering a police officer, and interfering with an arrest.
Meanwhile, officers charged Torrence with two counts of second-degree assault, disorderly conduct, obstruction and hindering a police officer, and intentionally interfering with a lawful arrest.
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