WASHINGTON — The Baltimore homicide detective shot in the head Wednesday evening has died, the police department announced Thursday. The suspect is at large.
Around 5 p.m. Wednesday, Baltimore police detective Sean Suiter, 43, was following up on a 2016 murder investigation in a West Baltimore neighborhood with his partner when they saw a man acting suspiciously. Suiter approached the man and a confrontation occurred that led the suspect to shoot Suiter once in the head, said Baltimore City Police Commissioner Kevin Davis.
The suspect then fled the scene.
Suiter was transported to shock trauma in critical condition Wednesday, and he died Thursday afternoon. He leaves behind a wife, Nicole, and five children, Davis said.
“We will find the person responsible for this ridiculous, absurd, unnecessary loss of life,” Davis said during a Thursday news conference. “The shooter knows what he did and who he did it to — a Baltimore police detective.”
Rest In Peace Detective Sean Suiter https://t.co/NiKIdmzbAD pic.twitter.com/l7vkrOKjMv
— Baltimore Police (@BaltimorePolice) November 16, 2017
Police are looking for any details about the suspect, described as a black man, who they say may be wounded from the encounter. Davis asked the shooter to “do the right thing and turn himself in.”
Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan announced Thursday afternoon that the state is offering a $100,000 reward for information leading to the suspect’s arrest. That’s in addition to the $69,000 reward being offered by Baltimore police and its federal partners.
“We are absolutely certain that the community will step up again and stand with the Baltimore Police Department to bring this heartless, ruthless, soulless killer to justice,” Davis said.
Details about the encounter between Suiter and the suspect are still unclear, but Davis said Suiter, an 18-year veteran of the force, was dressed “head-to-toe like any other Baltimore homicide detective” — in a suit and tie with a visible badge on his waistband.
Wednesday’s shooting of the police officer comes amid a particularly violent period in Baltimore: So far this year, the city of less than 620,000 inhabitants has seen more than 300 homicides.
“Violence in this city is out of control,” said Baltimore Mayor Catherine Pugh during the news conference.
Hogan ordered flags in the state to be flown at half-staff to honor Suiter.
““It is difficult to express the sadness – and anger – that comes with losing this dedicated public servant to such a cruel and senseless act of violence,” Hogan said in a release.
“The State of Maryland will continue to support local law enforcement as they hunt down the individual that committed this heinous crime, and ensure that the full force of justice is brought to bear.”
