David Linthicum: Timeline of manhunt for Cockeysville shooting suspect

Following a three-day manhunt, the Harford County Sheriff’s Office on Friday arrested a man accused of shooting two Baltimore County Police officers, leaving one detective in critical condition.

Harford County Sheriff Jeff Gahler said law enforcement took David Linthicum, 24, of Cockeysville, into custody at 5:43 a.m. after an eight-hour standoff that ended in a field near Fallston Mall.

[Documents: Father’s phone call prompted police visit]

“Our community is safer this morning with this individual in custody,” Gahler told reporters outside the sheriff’s office’s headquarters, “where he belongs.”

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Here’s what we know about how the search unfolded:

Wednesday:

About 2:30 p.m.: The Baltimore County Police Department responds to a home on Powers Avenue near Sherwood Road in Cockeysville for what investigators described as a “person in crisis.”

When an officer got to the house, he spoke with David Linthicum’s father, John Linthicum, who stated that his son was experiencing suicidal thoughts. The two of them then walked down the steps to the basement and into a bedroom, police reported.

David Linthicum was lying on the bed while holding a “high powered rifle,” police reported, and fired about 15 shots toward them. They ran out of the home. That’s when the officer noticed that he’d been shot, police reported.

Speaking at a news conference, Joy Stewart, a Baltimore County Police spokesperson, said law enforcement was looking for Linthicum and described the investigation as “very active.”

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“It’s important to note that we do consider him armed and dangerous,” Stewart said. “Do not approach him.”

The officer was taken to Sinai Hospital, where doctors treated and released him that night.

Thursday:

5:58 a.m.: Baltimore County Public Schools announced that six schools — Cockeysville Middle School, Dulaney High School, Mays Chapel Elementary School, Padonia International Elementary School, Warren Elementary School and Pot Spring Elementary School — would be closed for the day.

6:30 p.m.: Police developed information that Linthicum had returned to his home.

9:19 p.m.: Linthicum shot a detective who was on patrol nearby on Warren Road near Bosley Road, police reported. Next, Linthicum, police reported, stole the detective’s SUV, led police on a chase and ditched vehicle on Belair Road near Mountain Road in Fallston.

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10:02 p.m.: Dr. Thomas Scalea, chief physician of the Maryland Shock Trauma Center, said the hospital admitted the detective with “multiple gunshot wounds to his torso and his extremities.” Scalea said doctors stabilized the detective but he was on life support.

“He’s going to need a significant amount of reconstruction,” Scalea said. “He’ll be with us for a while.”

Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski Jr. thanked the men and women of the police department and the doctors. “I ask that not just all of Baltimore County, but anyone within earshot of my voice, to lift up the officer in your prayers,” Olszewski said.

Meanwhile, Harford County sheriff’s deputies pinned Linthicum into a perimeter. By that time, the sheriff’s office reported, the Maryland State Police, FBI, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives had joined the manhunt.

Friday:

5:34 a.m.: Harford County Public Schools canceled classes at Youth’s Benefit Elementary School, Fallston Middle School and Fallston High because of police activity and a shelter-in-place order.

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5:43 a.m.: Not longer after, Linthicum surrendered. He’s charged with attempted first-degree murder, first-degree assault, armed carjacking and related offenses.

Linthicum later appeared before a district court commissioner, who ordered him to be held without bond pending a bail review hearing at 1 p.m. on Monday in the District Court of Maryland for Baltimore County in Towson, according to online court records.

dylan.segelbaum@thebaltimorebanner.com

Dylan Segelbaum

dylan.segelbaum@thebaltimorebanner.com