Baltimore Police Sergeant Isaac Carrington is currently fighting for his life after being shot multiple times on Thursday afternoon outside his home in an attempted robbery. Sgt. Carrington is currently in critical condition but was taken into surgery Friday afternoon.
Baltimore Police Commissioner Michael Harrison told media that "an initial investigation revealed that the 43-year-old Carrington was standing in front of his lawn, speaking with a neighbor, when an unknown vehicle believed to be an Acura, pulled onto the street."
Then, a masked gunman hopped out of the vehicle and demanded property. The neighbor threw down his personal belongings and ran. Witnesses say that Carrington, who was not in uniform, attempted to subdue the assailants but he was overpowered.
"They were kicking him and then they began to shoot him repeatedly...They began to shoot, and I heard like four or five gunshots, and then they took something from him," a witness told a local NBC affiliate. "They went off in a black car."
Bystanders called the cops, and luckily nearby units were able to rush Carrington to the ICU via ambulance.
"We were able to deliver him to the hospital conscious and alert. We're fortunate that we had units available. We're fortunate that we were able to respond in a short amount of time, do a rapid assessment and transport and get him to Shock Trauma," Baltimore Assistant Fire Chief Tavon Claggett told reporters.
State leaders and city representatives issued statements saying they were praying for Carrington's recovery.
"The first lady and I are praying for a safe and full recovery for the Baltimore police sergeant who was shot in the line of duty today, and ask that you please join us in keeping this brave officer in your prayers," Maryland Governor Larry Hogan said.
U.S. Rep. Elijah Cummings posted on Twitter, "Praying for the Baltimore City police sergeant shot this afternoon in northeast Baltimore."
U.S. Rep. Dutch Ruppersberger also added via Twitter, "Let's lift up this Baltimore police sergeant, his loved ones, colleagues and the Shock Trauma medical team treating him right now. #hero."
Baltimore Mayor Jack Young noted that Carrington chose to live in the community that he served.
"He chose to live here. He's an officer that actually lives in the city of Baltimore, and we want to make sure that our officers want to live here, but if things like this keep happening, I doubt that our police officers will want to live here," Young warned.
"We need the community's support, we need their help. Broad daylight shootings and murders in the city of Baltimore is totally unacceptable, and we want those who are responsible to be caught and those who know who they are to make sure that they turn them in," Young added. "We can do better Baltimore, and I'm counting on you to do better."