Baltimore Police Release Video of Upton Neighborhood Shooting

Incident occurred after officers responded to a reported fight and encountered an armed suspect who was shot and critically injured.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 2:34am

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An extreme close-up of a police-issued Taser, the metallic body and prongs illuminated by a harsh, direct flash of light against a pitch-black background, conceptually representing the tension and scrutiny surrounding police tactics in this community.The use of force by police, especially involving Tasers, remains a point of contention in Baltimore's Upton neighborhood.Baltimore Today

The Baltimore Police Department has released new video footage from a police shooting that occurred on April 2 in the Upton neighborhood of West Baltimore. The incident began when officers responded to a reported fight and encountered a man, identified as Tavon Newton, who fled the scene. After a pursuit, officers deployed their Tasers multiple times, leading Newton to allegedly grab one of the officer's Tasers, at which point the officer fired a single shot, critically injuring Newton.

Why it matters

This incident has sparked concerns within the Upton community about police use of force, particularly in neighborhoods with high crime rates. The release of the video footage is an attempt by the police department to provide transparency and address community frustrations.

The details

According to the police, officers were alerted to a fight in the Upton neighborhood through the CitiWatch camera system. When they arrived on the scene, one of the individuals involved, Tavon Newton, fled the area. Officers pursued Newton and caught up to him in a parking lot, where they deployed their Tasers multiple times. The video footage then shows Newton allegedly grabbing one of the officer's Tasers, at which point the officer fired a single shot, critically injuring Newton.

  • The incident occurred on April 2, 2026.
  • The Baltimore Police Department released the video footage on April 18, 2026.

The players

Tavon Newton

A man involved in the reported fight who fled the scene and was shot by police after allegedly grabbing an officer's Taser.

Baltimore Police Department

The law enforcement agency that responded to the reported fight, pursued Newton, and ultimately shot him.

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What they’re saying

“We must address the community's concerns about police use of force in a transparent manner.”

— Commissioner Michael Harrison, Baltimore Police Commissioner

What’s next

The officer who shot Newton remains on administrative leave, and the incident is under investigation by the department's Force Investigation Team.

The takeaway

This shooting highlights the ongoing tensions between law enforcement and the community in Baltimore, particularly in neighborhoods with high crime rates. The release of the video footage is an attempt to provide transparency, but it is likely to further fuel discussions about police use of force and community-police relations.