The Maryland Office of the Attorney General has released horrific video footage capturing a fatal police pursuit that ended when a suspect mowed down a man before causing an entire building to collapse when he crashed into it.
The incident took place early last month in Baltimore and the police officers involved in the pursuit are now under investigation by the Independent Investigations Division of the Office of Attorney General, according to CBS News. An officer was reportedly told to end their pursuit seconds before the crash happened.
Citi Watch cameras capture Shawn Lee Brunson, 33, who was suspected of stealing the vehicle, fleeing from police with reckless abandon. The car is seen approaching an intersection and mowing down 54-year-old Alfred Fincher just as it crashes into another vehicle, WMAR 2 reported. The impact of the collision sent the vehicle that had been reported stolen the previous day into a vacant corner store which crumbles to the ground upon impact.
Wild video! The Attorney General has released street camera video and bodycam footage from a fatal police pursuit where the crash ended in a building collapse. pic.twitter.com/rRC6LvShte
— TallTanOne (@TallTanOne) March 3, 2023
Fincher, who was buried under the falling rubble, was killed. Five others were hospitalized with injuries, including two people in the stolen car and three people in the vehicle that was struck.
Brunson, 33, the alleged driver of a stolen 2017 Hyundai Sonata, was arrested and charged with stealing the vehicle, according to the ABC affiliate.
As might be expected, given the soft approach to crime taken in many Democrat-run urban areas, Brunson had a criminal record and just had a 15-year prison sentence suspended.
“According to online court records, Brunson is a previously convicted gun offender who failed to register back in 2016,” WMAR 2 reported. “Since then he’s also been found guilty of a 2021 assault that landed him a 15-year prison sentence, with all of about seven months suspended.”
The officers involved are being investigated by the Independent Investigations Division of the Maryland Attorney General’s Office to determine if they properly followed state laws and departmental procedures while pursuing Brunson.
Attorney Divya Potdar represents Fincher’s family and she told the Baltimore Banner that she believes the footage shows that the officer did not break off the pursuit as directed.
“We intend to obtain the rest of the evidence and see what else occurred leading up to Mr. Fincher’s death,” Potdar said. “Police officers need to be better trained to stop chasing stolen vehicles when it needlessly puts the lives of Baltimore residents in jeopardy. We will get justice for the Fincher family.”
It will be up to the Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office to prosecute the officers involved if warranted — this being the office once led by Marilyn Mosby, who charged six officers in the death of Freddie Gray back in 2015. Three officers were acquitted and Mosby would eventually drop all charges against the other three. Mosby is currently dealing with her own legal problems, facing two counts each of perjury and mortgage fraud.
Writers and editors can be contacted at [email protected] with feedback, tips, or corrections.
Tom Tillison grew up in Maryland before moving to Central Florida as a young teen. It is in the Sunshine State that he honed both his passion for politics and his writing skills. Tillison also contributes to BizPac Review.
Comment
We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. If a comment is spam, instead of replying to it please click the ∨ icon below and to the right of that comment. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.