US police launch manhunt after officer killed from 'unidentified injuries' while investigating suspicious vehicle

Police still searching for at least one suspect

Officials guard a roadblock near a scene where a Baltimore County police officer died while investigating a suspicious vehicle (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)

A Baltimore County police officer has been killed while investigating a suspicious vehicle, setting off a manhunt in a residential area of Maryland.

Police received a call about a suspicious vehicle in the Perry Hall community at 2 pm local time, the police department said on Twitter. A responding officer suffered unidentified injuries and was taken to the hospital. By 2:50 pm, she was dead.

A spokeswoman for the police department told The Independent the officer had suffered multiple injuries, but would not confirm the cause.

“We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of a Baltimore County Police Officer after she was shot in the line of duty today. Our prayers go out to this brave officer's family, @BACOPoliceFire, and the Baltimore County community,” Maryland Governor Larry Hogan tweeted.

“The suspect who committed this terrible crime remains at large, and @MDSP are assisting Baltimore County Police in their search,” he added. “The state stands ready to provide any and all resources necessary to capture this individual and bring them to justice.”

At least three local elementary schools where held on alert status that afternoon, and area residents were told to shelter in place. “Alert status” means all exterior doors to the schools were monitored, and outdoor activities were suspended. Parents were instructed not to attempt to pick their children up from school.

“I mourn with all Baltimore County citizens, law enforcement officers everywhere and the family of the brave officer whose life was tragically taken today,” Baltimore Mayor Catherine Pugh tweeted. “She gave her life in the service of others & all of Baltimore will remember her sacrifice. @BACOPoliceFire we stand with you.”

The officer was the 10th in the county to die in the line of duty, according to the Baltimore Sun. The paper identified the officer as a a four-year veteran assigned to the Parkville precinct. Her name has yet to be released.

Police were still unsure of the specifics of the incident on Monday evening. Police spokesman Shawn Vinson told reporters that a burglary may have been in progress when the officer was injured, but could not confirm this information.

County Police Chief Terrence B Sheridan said police would review body-camera footage from the incident to determine what happened. A cause of death may not be confirmed until an autopsy is performed, Mr Vinson added.

“Thoughts and prayers to the family, friends, officers and community in Baltimore County,” Baltimore police spokesman TJ Smith tweeted. “Shawn, great job in the worst of scenarios. Very sorry for your loss.”