The Baltimore Police Department (BPD) announced an investigation into a police-involved shooting in the Western District.
On Jan. 19, officers responded to an apartment complex on the 1100 block of Park Avenue for multiple service calls, including a welfare check, a disorderly person and a report of an armed individual.
Upon arrival, officers found several residents standing outside the building due to a fire alarm. An officer entered the building and encountered an individual screaming and wielding a large knife.
The officer identified himself as a Baltimore Police officer, prompting the individual to run into an apartment. Blood was observed in the hallway, leading officers to attempt entry into the apartment.
Additional officers arrived and tried to de-escalate the situation by communicating through the door, instructing the individual to exit and drop the knife.
The individual emerged holding a knife and an electrical stun stick, failing to comply with commands. Multiple officers deployed tasers, which were ineffective, leading one officer to discharge their service weapon, striking the individual.
Despite being shot, the individual resisted, preventing officers from initially securing the knife. Officers continued verbal commands and de-escalation efforts.
The individual eventually dropped the weapons, allowing officers to take her into custody. She was transported to a hospital for treatment of two gunshot wounds.
The individual was identified as 48-year-old Autumn Elizabeth Denny, who is now facing assault and weapons charges.
Investigators from the Special Investigations Response Team (SIRT) are investigating the incident. The Public Release of Critical Incident Recordings Policy has also been activated.
