The Baltimore police homicide detective shot Wednesday in west Baltimore has died, police Commissioner Kevin Davis said.
Detective Sean Suiter, an 18-year veteran, was 43 and married with five children who ranged in age from 14 to 24. His wife Nicole and his children are at Shock Trauma.
"We will find the person responsible for this ridiculous, unnecessary, absurd loss of life," Davis said.
.@CommishKDavis @BaltimorePolice “He (Det. Suiter) loved being a cop.” - Davis is wearing a black band over his badge @wbalradio
While he and his partner were canvassing for information on a homicide case, police say they encountered a man in a space between two rowhouses. Both Suiter and his partner were in suits and ties, with their badges clearly visible around their neck. The man pulled out a gun, shot Suiter in the head and fled. Davis couldn't elaborate on any exchange of words with the shooter.
Officers have been a constant presence in the hours since, escorting residents to their homes as they continue to canvass the area.
Mayor Catherine Pugh asked for prayers for Suiter's family and fellow officers.
"When they leave their homes, their families' hearts go out with them," Pugh said. "Every life lost to violence or any other issue is a life lost to Baltimore City."
She said Baltimore can and will "do better," if all city residents pitch in.
Gov. Larry Hogan ordered that state flags be flown at half-staff.
"It is difficult to express the sadness–and anger–that comes with losing this dedicated public servant to such a cruel and senseless act of violence," Hogan said in a statement. "The State of Maryland will continue to support local law enforcement as they hunt down the individual that committed this heinous crime, and ensure that the full force of justice is brought to bear."
Suiter lived in Pennsylvania but was a Washington native. A former Navy officer, he was well-known and liked by his colleagues and the doctors at Shock Trauma over his 18-year career.
"He loved being a cop," Davis said.
Our deepest condolences to Detective Suiter's family and colleagues. We mourn with you @BaltimorePolice
Dr. Deborah Stein, Shock Trauma's chief of trauma and medical director of neurotrauma, said Suiter succumbed to his brain injury and was pronounced dead at noon.
"We knew Detective Suiter. He will be, in fact, sorely missed," she said.
State's Attorney Marilyn Mosby is also among those who met Suiter often, and vowed in a statement that her office would "work tirelessly" on the case.
"Each day, officers throughout this nation leave home not knowing whether they will make it back and this is a tragic reminder of the ultimate risk and potential sacrifice that officers make to protect and serve us all," Mosby said. "Detective Suiter and I crossed paths many times when I was a line prosecutor, and I know firsthand his love and passion for serving the citizens of Baltimore and fighting crime. We have lost a true gem today."
A $69,000 reward is out for information leading to an arrest.
"It shouldn't take 69 cents and we are absolutely certain that the community will step up again...to help bring this heartless ruthless, soulless killer to justice," Davis said.
Police cadets helped canvass the neighborhood Thursday, passing out flyers and knocking on doors. A detailed description of the suspect--beyond being a black male who was wearing a black jacket with a white stripe--isn't available, and police don't yet know in which direction the shooter fled. Davis said police believe one or two people may know or suspect who killed Suiter, and the shooter may have interacted with people in the hours since shooting Suiter. He also may have been wounded, Davis said.
"We're asking the shooter to do the right thing," Davis said. "He knows what he did."
Suiter was the 137th Baltimore police officer to die in the line of duty. The last officer to die in the line of duty was Officer Craig Chandler, who died in 2015 from injuries suffered two months earlier when he was involved in a crash while pursuing a moped. The last to die from a gunshot wound was in 2011, when Officer William Torbit Jr., who was working plainclothes, was struck and killed by friendly fire during a nightclub melee.
In a statement, Fraternal Order of Police Lodge No. 3 President Gene Ryan said the "callous murder" had broken their hearts.
"We grieve for his loss, and for the pain and suffering that will be endured by his family and friends," Ryan said. "Rest assured, however, that this has not broken our collective spirit and we will continue to do the work that Sean loved, and do it with the same integrity and commitment that he exemplified. He will never be forgotten, and his sacrifice will be remembered forever by the generations of proud Baltimore police officers yet to come. Rest in peace, brother. We will take it from here."
Anyone with information is asked to call 410-396-2100, text tips to 443-902-4824, call Metro Crime Stoppers at 866-7LOCKUP, or call the FBI at 800-CALL-FBI, Option 4. A $69,000 reward is being offered for information.
