A late-night police response in Baltimore has escalated into a high-profile juvenile crime case after three 14-year-olds allegedly struck a police officer with a stolen vehicle during a pursuit captured on body-worn camera footage.
According to the Baltimore Police Department, Officer William Cole, a five-year veteran assigned to the Southwest District, responded shortly after midnight on Feb. 15 to reports of an attempted break-in in the 800 block of West Lombard Street. A resident had called 911 reporting that armed individuals were attempting to force entry into a home.
When Cole arrived at approximately 12:05 a.m., he encountered a Kia sedan that had been reported stolen the previous day from the 600 block of East Chase Street. The vehicle was occupied by multiple juveniles.
Body-worn camera footage released by police shows Cole exiting his patrol vehicle, drawing his service weapon and issuing repeated commands for the occupants to stop and exit the car. Moments later, the Kia reversed in his direction, striking him and knocking him to the pavement.
As he fell, Cole discharged a single round from his service weapon toward the vehicle. Police later confirmed that only one shot was fired by the officer. The Kia continued reversing, colliding with another parked vehicle and Cole’s patrol car before fleeing the scene.
In the immediate aftermath, a 21-year-old man — believed to have been assaulted nearby moments earlier — approached the injured officer and collapsed. Cole called for medical assistance and rendered aid until backup arrived.
Cole was transported to a local hospital with a right ankle injury and was released later that day. The 21-year-old was treated at the scene and did not require hospitalization.
The stolen Kia was later recovered on South Arlington Avenue. Investigators determined the vehicle had struck at least one additional parked car during the escape.
Detectives identified the occupants using surveillance footage and electronic monitoring data. Two 14-year-old boys were arrested Feb. 16 and charged with aggravated assault and auto theft. Police confirmed both were already on ankle monitors for prior robbery and auto theft charges. They remain detained at Juvenile Booking.
A 14-year-old girl identified as the driver was arrested the following day. During processing, officers observed a graze wound on her right wrist. Her mother told investigators the injury may have resulted from the officer’s gunfire, though authorities say the cause has not yet been confirmed. She was also charged with aggravated assault and auto theft and was released on electronic monitoring.
The department’s Special Investigations Response Team continues to review the officer-involved shooting.
The case arrives amid an ongoing surge in juvenile auto thefts across Baltimore. City data shows that more than 10,000 vehicles were reported stolen in 2023, with a significant share involving Kia and Hyundai models. Law enforcement officials have attributed the spike in part to social media-driven theft methods that exposed software vulnerabilities in certain vehicles.
Maryland juvenile justice reports indicate the trend has coincided with a 25% rise in teen recidivism, raising broader concerns about repeat offenses and the effectiveness of electronic monitoring programs.
As of Feb. 23, authorities say no additional arrests have been made. The investigation remains ongoing.
