Baltimore police shooting: family questions use of force in newton confrontation
A foot chase and escalating struggle culminated in a police shooting Monday in Baltimore, leaving 35-year-old Tavon Newton hospitalized and sparking questions about the use of force. The incident, captured on video and witnessed by multiple bystanders, has ignited familiar tensions surrounding police interactions with the community.
The sequence of events: from assault to confrontation
The sequence began around noon when police responded to reports of an assault at the intersection of Wilson and Brunt Streets. Officers, utilizing CCTV surveillance, tracked fleeing suspects in real-time, directing patrol units towards them. Newton was subsequently located in the 1700 block of Pennsylvania Avenue, initiating a foot pursuit. The situation rapidly deteriorated as officers attempted to apprehend him; Newton reportedly resisted commands and clutched a bag, refusing to relinquish it. According to police accounts, Officer Devon Gubbar, a four-year veteran, deployed a taser, which Newton then managed to wrest control of.
What transpired next is now under intense scrutiny. Police state that Officer Gubbar discharged his handgun, striking Newton. Immediate medical aid was administered at the scene before Newton was transported to a nearby hospital, where he remains in stable condition.
Video footage of the encounter, circulating widely, appears to contradict the police narrative, showing multiple officers attempting to restrain Newton as he lies on the ground. Michael Evans, a neighborhood resident, voiced a pointed question: “How can you shoot a man in his back when he’s down?” The assertion of a gunshot to the back, if confirmed, would significantly alter the context of the incident.
Charges and investigations: a history of encounters
Newton faces charges of aggravated assault and resisting arrest. Adding another layer of complexity, police commissioner Richard Worley revealed that officers had recovered two handguns from Newton in the same area last year. The Baltimore Police Department's Special Investigation Response Team (SIRT) and the Baltimore City State’s Attorney's Office have launched investigations into the shooting.
Family's plea: 'he wasn't threatening them'
LaShaw Newton, Tavon’s sister, expressed profound distress, stating that the family has been denied access to him at the hospital. She vehemently challenged the police account, asserting, “Even if he had a weapon in his bag, he didn’t pull it out. He wasn’t threatening them. He wasn't pointing at them or anything.” She continued, “If he had it on him, he just had it on him. That’s still no reason to shoot him in the back while he’s lying on the ground.” A knife was also recovered at the scene.
The incident reinforces a recurring pattern of community distrust regarding police use of force, particularly in cases involving Black suspects. As investigations proceed, the focus will remain on reconciling conflicting accounts and determining the full extent of the events that led to this latest confrontation, and whether the actions of Officer Gubbar aligned with established protocols and ethical standards.