Manhunt for Baltimore City Police Officer Ends when He Surrenders to Central Booking

A 15-year veteran of the Baltimore City Police Department, 36-year-old Gahji Tshamba, turned himself into Baltimore's Central booking after being on the run in connection with a shooting incident last week. Tshamba is charged with first degree murder (with the possibility of the death penalty) in relation to the shooting death of a Marine, 32-year-old Tyrone Brown, on June 5. Brown was married and the father of two children.

Initially it was claimed that the off-duty officer shot Brown 13 times, with nine of those shots making contact. Later it was reported that Brown was hit six times. Since then, it has been verified that the off-duty officer shot Brown, who had served two tours in Iraq, a total of 12 times at close range. Brown died shortly thereafter.

The shooting took place Saturday outside a local Baltimore nightclub, Eden's Lounge, in Mount Vernon. Brown allegedly made advances, and possibly put his hands on, the off-duty officer's female companion. Brown is said to have apologized for touching the woman, and started to walk away. Nonetheless, words were exchanged, and according to Brown's sister, La-Belle Scott, who was among a group on the scene, the off-duty officer pulled out his gun and shot Brown with a crowd of people around. Scott said that in an effort to diffuse the situation, her brother raised his hands in the air and said, "Calm down."

A breathalyzer test was ordered, but Tshamba exercised his right to refuse to take the test. So, police are now left to determine how much of a role, if any, alcohol played in the shooting.

Tshamba was involved in another off-duty shooting in which alcohol was involved, but the shooting was deemed justified after an investigation. In that case, in 2005, a group of men had made racial slurs at Tshamba, and it was decided that the off-duty officer pulled his gun and fired when the group advanced towards him. While the shooting was deemed justified, Tshamba was disciplined for being under the influence of alcohol.

Initially, no charges were made against the officer, but Tshamba was put on paid administrative duty, pending the investigation. As it seemed imminent that charges would be filed, Tshamba went missing on Friday, and Police Commissioner Fred Bealefeld called for an intensified manhunt. Tshamba supposedly contacted his lawyer on Saturday, June 12, then surrendered himself on Sunday, June 13.

A major issue now is whether or not Tshamba identified himself as a police officer. That will play into the charges levied. If he identified himself as a police officer, he has more rights, being recognized as being on duty. It may mitigate the first-degree murder charge. Nonetheless, even police supporters are having a tough time rationalizing why 13 shots were fired at an unarmed man, particularly when there were others around who may have been harmed.

Also in question is the Baltimore City Police Department's policy of having off-duty officers carrying their weapons. People are voicing concerns that when alcohol is involved, there is no room for a gun, regardless of whether or not the person is a police officer.