Police Release Video of Deadly Shootout in Baltimore Alley

Baltimore police have released video of a shootout between a man and two officers, leaving one policeman wounded and the suspect dead.

Footage from Baltimore Police Officer Steven Foster’s camera initially shows him behind the wheel of a cruiser on Sept. 23, as he pulls into an alley where Officer Phillip Lippe appears to be talking to an individual on the ground.

Baltimore Police Officer Phillip Lippe talks to a suspect on the ground, on Sept. 23, 2018. Baltimore Police Department

Baltimore police spokesman T.J. Smith described the video to a press conference on Oct. 1, The Associated Press reported.

Smith said Lippe was talking to 29-year-old Nathaniel Sassafras, who was being pursued on suspicion of drug dealing. Smith said at one point in the video, Lippe was telling Sassafras to drop his gun.

Lippe can be seen with one hand extended toward the suspect, the other bent and at his side, as if on a sidearm.

Footage shows Foster stopping the vehicle and getting out, revealing Sassafras on the ground in a partially raised position, turned toward the officers, and apparently holding an item that Smith said was a gun.

Nathaniel Sassafras, 29, appears to hold what police said was a gun moments before a volley of shots rang out on Sept. 23, 2018, according to Baltimore police. Baltimore Police Department

The released footage includes an image of what is purported to be the gun Sassafras used to fire at the officers.

Baltimore police released a photo of a gun they said the suspect used to fire on police officers, on Sept. 23, 2018. Baltimore Police Department

A moment later a volley of shots can be heard ringing out.

“Shots fired! Shots fired!” Foster can be heard shouting before making a radio call for assistance.

The Associated Press reported that interim Police Chief Gary Tuggle told the news conference that Sassafras fired first and officers shot back.

Tuggle said the suspect fired 10 bullets and the officers fired 30 rounds.

Foster pulls Lippe toward the back of the police cruiser to take cover, according to footage released on Oct. 1, 2018, by Baltimore police. Baltimore Police Department

“Get cover! Get cover now!” one of the officers can be heard shouting as Foster grabs Lippe’s arm and pulls him toward the back of the cruiser.

Foster, with his weapon pointed, checks on the motionless Sassafras, before saying “One suspect down!” and walking over to Lippe.

Foster points his firearm toward Sassafras on Sept. 23, according to footage released on Oct. 1, 2018, by the police. Baltimore Police Department

“Bro, are you good? Are you ok?” asks Foster, before speaking into a radio “We need units! Officer hit!”

Footage then shows Foster examining Lippe for injuries.

“I’m good. He got my arm” says Lippe, as Foster unbuttons Lippe’s uniform and checks the bulletproof vest.

Foster examines Lippe for gunshot wounds on Sept. 23, 2018, according to footage released on Oct. 1, 2018, by the police. Baltimore Police Department

Tuggle told reporters that Lippe was hit in his vest, camera, and elbow. He was taken to the hospital and released the following day.

The suspect died.