A former Maryland police officer is facing charges after he allegedly assaulted an officer and resisted arrest.
The incident happened in the 1400 block of Stoney Point Way in Curtis Bay on Monday. Officer Eric G. Banks Jr., who had been stripped of his badge with the Baltimore police, is accused of assault, endangerment, interference with arrest, and related charges.
Anne Arundel County officers arrived at the home after someone called to request a welfare check on Banks’ stepson. A 15-year-old in the home, identified as the suspect’s stepson, ultimately passed away.
Although the cause and manner of death have not been released, Anne Arundel County homicide detectives arrived at the scene. A state medical examiner will determine the boy’s official cause and manner of death, The Baltimore Sun reports.
According to the police report, the suspect became “became combative and tried to disarm an officer” while the officer tried to render aid to the victim, who was reportedly in an upstairs bedroom.
“The officer requested assistance and several officers responded to the scene and were able to safely take Eric Banks into custody,” police said in a statement. “As a result of Banks’ actions toward the responding officer, an arrest warrant was obtained.”
Capital Gazette reports that Banks had initially told authorities that the boy had left the home without his belongings. Investigators subsequently obtained a search warrant for the home and talked with numerous witnesses.
Baltimore Police Department spokeswoman Lindsey Eldridge said that Banks was already suspended from his duties as a police officer before the incident happened, although it’s unclear why.
CBS Baltimore reports that the incident happened following some sort of custody dispute after the victim’s mother arrived to pick him up from Banks’ home.
“Prayers to the family for the loss of the life of a young person,” Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott said Wednesday.
Anyone with information about the case should contact the Anne Arundel County Homicide Unit at 410-222-4731.
The story is developing. Check back for updates.
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