TOWSON, Md. — A man from Maryland who shot and wounded two police officers has been convicted of attempted murder, armed carjacking and gun charges.
A Baltimore County Circuit Court jury found 26-year-old David Linthicum guilty Thursday after a weeklong trial.
A 39-hour police chase on February 8, 2023 began after Linthicum’s father called police and said his son was armed and suicidal. When an officer arrived at Linthicum’s home, Linthicum was lying on his bed and holding a high-powered rifle.
Linthicum fired about 15 rounds at the officer and his father, who both “fled the residence to take cover from further gunfire,” police said. The officer realized he had been hit and was transported to a hospital. He was treated and released later that evening.
After Linthicum fled his home, federal and state law enforcement officers joined the search, which continued the next day and night as he evaded capture. Residents were told to shelter in place near Linthicum’s home in Baltimore County and schools were put on lockdown.
Police said that when a detective approached Linthicum as he walked along a road near his home, Linthicum raised a rifle and fired numerous rounds, striking the officer several times. Police say he also stole the detective’s car. The detective was seriously injured and testified at trial that his injuries prevented him from returning to full duty more than 18 months after the shooting.
Police eventually surrounded Linthicum in a wooded area behind a suburban shopping center and captured him.
During his trial, Linthicum’s attorneys tried to blame police for exacerbating a mental health crisis and accused both prosecutors and Baltimore County Judge Garret P. Glennon of bias, The Baltimore Sun reported.
No date has yet been set for sentencing.
Deputy State’s Attorney John Cox said the jury’s verdict represented justice, The Sun reported.
“That’s exactly what happened,” he said.
Linthicum’s attorneys said they plan to appeal and urged the state to adopt an alternative response model to address people experiencing a mental health crisis.