BPD Identifies Officer, Man Involved in West Baltimore Shooting

Authorities say the officer shot the armed suspect after he grabbed a taser during the confrontation.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 6:11am

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An extreme close-up photograph of a police taser against a pitch-black background, capturing the gritty, investigative nature of the crime scene.The confrontation between Officer Gubbar and Tavon Newton exposed the ongoing tensions between law enforcement and the Black community in Baltimore.Baltimore Today

Baltimore police have identified the officer and victim involved in a police shooting that occurred last week in West Baltimore. Officer Devon Gubbar, a four-year veteran of the Baltimore Police Department, shot 35-year-old Tavon Newton on Thursday along Pennsylvania Avenue in the Upton neighborhood. Police allege Newton ran from officers and refused to obey commands, leading to a physical altercation where Newton allegedly grabbed one of the officer's tasers, prompting Gubbar to open fire. Newton is currently hospitalized in stable condition.

Why it matters

Police shootings, especially those involving Black men, have been a major source of community tension and mistrust in Baltimore. This incident is likely to further inflame those tensions and prompt renewed calls for police reform and accountability.

The details

According to authorities, Officer Gubbar encountered Newton on Thursday and Newton allegedly fled from police. After a brief chase, officers caught up to Newton but he refused to comply with their commands. Police then used a taser on Newton, but he continued to fight. At that point, police say Newton grabbed one of the officer's tasers, leading Gubbar to open fire and shoot Newton.

  • The incident occurred on Thursday, April 3, 2026 in West Baltimore.
  • Newton is currently hospitalized in stable condition.

The players

Officer Devon Gubbar

A four-year veteran of the Baltimore Police Department who shot Tavon Newton during the confrontation.

Tavon Newton

A 35-year-old Baltimore resident who was shot by Officer Gubbar after allegedly grabbing the officer's taser during a physical altercation.

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What they’re saying

“We must get to the bottom of what happened and ensure proper accountability.”

— Jamal Jones, Community Activist

What’s next

The Baltimore Police Department's Internal Affairs division is investigating the shooting. The results of their investigation will determine if any disciplinary action will be taken against Officer Gubbar.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the ongoing tensions between law enforcement and the Black community in Baltimore, and the need for continued reforms to rebuild trust and ensure greater accountability for police use of force.