They recognized the importance of communication and understanding between law enforcement agencies and the communities they serve, with the ultimate goal of building trust and fostering an environment of safety and cooperation.
A carjacking suspect and two other people were killed when they were hit by a police vehicle as they fled the vehicle, police said. The deceased suspect was identified as 20-year-old Dion Lamar Taylor, who lived a block away from the collision.
Teisha Cook described the moment she learned her son had been killed by a Baltimore County police vehicle a block from her home in an interview with 11 News. She claimed: “I was looking for my son all the time not realizing he was under the car. I was running around looking for them and couldn’t find them, I called him and texted him but got no answer. The police came over and one came this way and hit them and then ran over my son as he was coming up the street.
Just before 4 p.m., police said Taylor and two other suspects ambushed a pizza delivery driver in the 3400 block of Merle Drive in Woodlawn. The car was spotted by police soon after, leading to a chase that began at Essex and Liberty roads in Baltimore County and ended at Northern Parkway and Highgate Drive.
A firearm was thrown from the window and later recovered, according to authorities. The suspects jumped out of a moving car at the intersection of Northern Parkway and Liberty Road. While another Baltimore County police cruiser was chasing the fleeing criminals, one crashed into a car. Taylor was struck by a cruiser while turning onto Highgate Drive.
According to Cpl. Shawn Vinson of the Baltimore County Police Department: “From what we can tell at this point, there is no indication that this officer hit the suspect intentionally.” County police insisted officers were following policy and could not provide any details due to the ongoing investigation.
However, Cook wants details. He wasn’t a bad person. She noted, “My son was in the home. Taron Kelly, 16, was arrested in connection with the incident. He was charged with possession of a handgun and armed robbery, armed carjacking, carjacking, and possession of a handgun. He is being held without bond after being charged as an adult. The third suspect has not been located. The Baltimore City Police Department is investigating the crash. The officer at fault has been placed on regular administrative leave.
For Teisha Cook, the pain of losing her son may never fully heal, but she was determined to honor his memory by advocating for change and responsibility. She has joined forces with others who have lost loved ones in similar incidents to advocate for police reforms and policies aimed at preventing similar tragedies from happening again.
As the investigation into the fatal collision continued, the community rallied around Taylor’s family, offering support and solidarity. The incident served as a stark reminder that every life lost in such circumstances is a deep and painful loss for families and communities, and called on all involved to work together to prevent future tragedies and build a safer and more just society.