BALTIMORE (WBFF) — **Viewer discretion is advised: The following article and video contain graphic content that some readers and viewers may find disturbing.***
An officer-involved shooting case from last December in west Baltimore has been thrown out after a judge said police used excessive force.
On December 16, 2025, around 7:57 p.m., detectives were monitoring CCTV cameras when they saw suspected narcotics activity near North Charles and East 21st Streets.
Members of the Eastern District Action Team (DAT) were then directed to the area to investigate and attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a vehicle believed to be involved in the narcotics activity.
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The vehicle fled and a police pursuit ensued. A request was made for Foxtrot, BPD’s helicopter, but it wasn’t in service at the time, according to police.
The suspect vehicle entered the 500 block of West Lanvale Street and drove into a dead-end alley. Three officers then exited their vehicle and approached the suspects on foot, giving verbal commands for the occupants to show their hands.
Police said the vehicle suddenly reversed toward an officer and crashed into a fence. The vehicle accelerated again towards the officer, at which point all three officers discharged their firearms.
The officers involved are Officer Anthony Bennett, a five-year veteran, Officer Austin Gutridge, a 12-year veteran and Officer Jacob Redding, a four-year veteran.
The two suspects are 61-year-old Andrew Brown and 37-year-old Devin Thomas.
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BPD said Brown, the passenger, fell out of the vehicle as it drifted in reverse. Thomas, the driver, got out of the vehicle and laid on the ground.
Officers put handcuffs on both men and rendered aid to Thomas, who had been struck by gunfire, until medics arrived. Thomas was transported to a local hospital and has since been released.
Officers searched the vehicle and recovered two firearms and narcotics.
On July 15, 2026, Baltimore City Judge Lazette Ringgold-Kirksey threw out the evidence saying police used excessive force.
In response, State’s Attorney Ivan Bates released the following statement, disagreeing with the judge’s decision:
“The Court heard facts in which police officers testified that they defended themselves by using the force they deemed reasonable and necessary when they shot at a vehicle that refused to stop and was driving in their direction. Upon a search of the vehicle, officers recovered two guns and drugs. The defense filed a motion to suppress the evidence, and the state responded in writing. On the day of the motion hearing, the Court allowed the defense to present an additional motion alleging that the police used excessive force. Even though this appears to be contrary to the law, the Court granted the defense’s request and threw out the two guns recovered and the drugs. With no evidence, our office was forced to dismiss the charges against both of these violent repeat offenders. In the coming days, our office will determine if this ruling is something we can appeal.” said Bates.
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