Upton Residents Frustrated After Police Shooting of Armed Man

Community expresses anger and fear over incident as investigation continues

Apr. 4, 2026 at 2:08am

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An extreme close-up photograph of a police evidence marker on the ground, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, conceptually representing the crime scene without depicting any violence, weapons, or victims.The aftermath of a police shooting in Baltimore's Upton neighborhood has left the community shaken and searching for answers.Baltimore Today

Residents in Baltimore's Upton neighborhood are expressing frustration and concern after police shot and wounded a 35-year-old man during an altercation on Thursday. The man's sister says he was not threatening officers when he was shot, while police claim he was armed with a knife and gun. The shooting has left the community shaken, with some residents fearing potential police retaliation.

Why it matters

The incident has highlighted ongoing tensions between law enforcement and the Upton community, which has a history of strained relations. The shooting has reignited debates around police use of force, de-escalation tactics, and community trust in the aftermath of high-profile incidents of police violence.

The details

According to police, officers responded to a fight involving at least three people near Wilson Street and Pennsylvania Avenue on Thursday afternoon. They chased and confronted a 35-year-old man, who they say was armed with a knife and gun. After a struggle, an officer shot the man, who was later identified by his sister as Tavon Newton. Newton was in stable condition following the shooting.

  • The incident occurred around noon on Thursday, April 4, 2026.
  • The officer who fired the shot is on routine administrative leave as the investigation continues.

The players

Tavon Newton

A 35-year-old Baltimore resident who was shot by police during the incident.

LaShawn Newton

Tavon Newton's sister, who says her brother was not threatening officers when he was shot.

Baltimore Police Department

The law enforcement agency involved in the shooting incident.

Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott

The mayor who addressed the community's concerns following the shooting.

Baltimore Police Commissioner Richard Worley

The police commissioner who provided details on the officers' actions during the incident.

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What they’re saying

“Even if he had a weapon in his bag — which I'm not saying he did or didn't — but if he have one in his bag, he didn't pull it out. He wasn't threatening them. He wasn't pointing it at them or anything. If he had it on him, he just had it on him. My brother was laying on the ground. He was on his stomach. One officer had his arms and he was just laying flat and the guy got up and shot him. So, I don't see where he was fearing for his life.”

— LaShawn Newton, Tavon Newton's sister

“Any time we have an incident like this, it impacts our whole community. It's a traumatic incident.”

— Brandon Scott, Baltimore Mayor

“The officers were attempting to de-escalate. They were trying to take the satchel from the individual, and they were trying to get control of the individual. They Tased him. It didn't have any effect. They went to Tase him again and use our less-lethal options. He grabbed the Taser and got possession of the Taser. If he's able to use that on the officers, then he just rendered the officer incapable of responding. So, the officer must have felt in fear that he needed to use the weapon and step back and fired the shot.”

— Richard Worley, Baltimore Police Commissioner

What’s next

The officer who fired the shot is on routine administrative leave as the investigation into the use of force continues. The mayor said the community will have support in the aftermath from the Mayor's Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement, though residents reported not seeing the agency's presence in the neighborhood on Friday.

The takeaway

This incident has further strained the relationship between the Upton community and the Baltimore Police Department, raising questions about de-escalation tactics, transparency, and the need for improved trust and communication between law enforcement and the neighborhoods they serve.