Video footage released Thursday shows a wild police chase through Baltimore that ended with one person dead and a building collapse.
The incident occurred Feb. 8 when 33-year-old Shawn Lee Brunson stole a Hyundai Sonata and led authorities on a police chase in the Northeast Baltimore area, The Baltimore Sun reported. As the suspect was speeding, the car crashed into a Mitsubishi Eclipse and 54-year-old pedestrian Alfred Fincher before smashing into the corner of a vacant building.
🚨 POLICE CHASE IN BALTIMORE – Vehicle crashed, Building collapsed pic.twitter.com/SyBPemMAgc
— Insider Paper (@TheInsiderPaper) March 3, 2023
Video footage shows the building collapse onto Fincher and the vehicles. Fincher was declared dead at the scene, according to The Baltimore Sun. Five individuals who were inside both vehicles were injured and Brunson was arrested for vehicle theft, according to the report.
Police confirmed one person is dead and several others taken to the hospital. There will be a press conference later. pic.twitter.com/U950j78C9G
— Khiree Stewart (@khireewbal) February 9, 2023
Divya Potdar, the attorney representing Fincher’s family, said the officers should get additional training so as not to “needlessly pursue” stolen vehicles, according to The Baltimore Sun.
“The officer did not break off the pursuit, and Alfred Fincher is dead,” Potdar reportedly said.
Officers are permitted to chase fleeing vehicles if a felony suspect who poses a threat of death or injury is inside or if there is probably cause the suspect could have committed a felony that left someone dead or harmed, according to the report. Officers are not allowed to pursue vehicles if the violation is simply auto theft, a traffic violation or a misdemeanor, The Baltimore Sun reported.