Baltimore County police reported they shot and killed a woman after she pointed a gun at officers and threatened them during a standoff at a Randallstown apartment.
The woman was identified as 23-year-old Korryn Gaines. According to police, a 5-year-old boy in the home obtained a gunshot wound and was taken to the hospital, but he is expected to survive. It is unsure if the police or Gaines shot the child. The child was reportedly Gaines’ son, Kodi Gaines.
Police Chief Jim Johnson said that around 9:20 AM, warrant squad members and a uniformed officer went to a home on Sulky Court to serve arrest warrants on Gaines and a man, 39-year-old Kareem Courtney, who lived in the home. Courtney reportedly fled the home with a 1-year-old child but was caught by officers. Gaines was wanted for not appearing in cases pertaining to a March incident. She was charged with disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, and several traffic violations.
Police arrived at Gaines’ apartment and knocked on the door, but after identifying themselves, no one answered the door. An officer obtained a key from the landlord and opened the door to the apartment. According to officers, Gaines had a long gun which she pointed at one of the three officers. She was on the floor with the 5-year-old in her arms.
Other residents were evacuated from the apartment. The next few hours involved officers attempting to negotiate with Gaines by telephone or shouting at her across the room. After several hours, Gaines hung up on the police, causing the tactical team to bring Gaines’ parents to help her negotiate. No one could convince her to give up the long gun.
At 3 PM, Gaines told the officers that if they did not leave the apartment, she would kill them with the long gun. An officer fired at Gaines and she shot back. During the back and forth shooting, police fatally shot her. It is unknown where the child was during the gunfire. None of the police officers involved in the incident were wearing body cameras.
