Baltimore Police release body-camera video from May 24 shooting that killed Anthony Ferguson, injured officer

Footage release details South Baltimore encounter and outlines investigative steps

Baltimore police have released body-worn camera footage from a May 24, 2024, officer-involved shooting in the 3400 block of South Hanover Street that left a 39-year-old man dead and one officer injured. The video, captured from multiple officers’ cameras, documents the moments leading up to an exchange of gunfire between police and the man later identified as Anthony Ferguson.

The incident occurred at about 10:30 p.m. as officers patrolled the area and approached Ferguson to question him. Police stated they considered Ferguson a person of interest and sought to speak with him. The footage shows officers engaging Ferguson in conversation and issuing repeated commands during the encounter.

What the footage shows in the minutes before shots were fired

Police described the interaction as escalating when Ferguson stood up and pointed a gun toward officers. The recorded audio includes officers issuing multiple commands to drop the weapon. Seconds later, gunfire begins, with officers firing and returning fire reported from Ferguson’s direction.

• Ferguson was shot and later pronounced dead after being taken to a hospital.
• An officer was struck during the exchange and transported for treatment; police described the injuries as non-life-threatening.
• Police have stated five officers fired a total of 39 rounds.

Authorities said they believe Ferguson fired three shots, including one that struck Detective Nicholas Wellems in the chest. Police stated Wellems was wearing a bullet-resistant vest that prevented the round from penetrating.

Officers involved and administrative status

Police identified the officers involved as Sgt. Timothy Copeland, Detective Nicholas Wellems, Officer Brandall Mable, Officer Nicolas Sturla, and Officer Kevin Retamales. The department said all are assigned to the Southern District and have been placed on routine administrative leave while the investigation proceeds, a common step following shootings involving police.

How the case will be investigated

The shooting remains under investigation by the Independent Investigations Division of the Maryland Attorney General’s Office alongside the Baltimore Police Department’s Special Investigative Response Team. Those reviews typically assess the sequence of events, forensic evidence, officer statements, and video and audio recordings to determine whether any criminal charges are warranted and whether department policies were followed.

The body-camera release provides a time-stamped record of commands, movement, and gunfire, but it does not on its own resolve questions that investigators typically address through ballistics analysis, scene reconstruction, and witness interviews.

Police also said they were examining Ferguson’s background, including whether he was legally permitted to carry a firearm. No additional findings from the independent investigation were announced alongside the video release.