Baltimore Police officer dies after being shot while sitting in her patrol car

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The city of Baltimore is mourning the untimely death of Keona Holley, a beloved member of the community and its police force.

Officer Keona Holley, a two-year veteran of the Baltimore police, was shot in the head ambush style while sitting in her patrol car on December 16.

She was rushed to the University of Maryland Hospital Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore.

Holley was put on life support, but her condition continued to worsen.

After a consultation with doctors, the family made the difficult decision to take the 39-year-old off life support on Thursday (Dec 23th), according to a statement by police commissioner Michael Harrison.

She died shortly after.

“Her health has been deteriorating over the last couple of days and her family, in consultation with her doctors, has had to make the most difficult decision,” said Commissioner Michael Harrison of the BPD in the statement.

“Our prayers are with Officer Holley’s family and loved ones, co-workers and the entire community. I thank her and the entire BPD community for their commitment, service and sacrifice. We mourn Officer Holley’s death together and we will heal together,” said Harrison.

Holley had joined the force two years ago. A life-long dream to serve, her family said.

Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott praised Holley as a devoted public servant who worked to protect her community.

“Baltimore will never forget Officer Holley’s sacrifice and commitment to making a difference in her beloved city. I ask that everyone please keep Officer Holley’s family in your prayers as they endure the holiday season without their mother, daughter, sister and loyal friend,” he said in the Baltimore Police. Facebook statement.

Keona Holley Shooting

Officer Keona Holley (Photo: Baltimore Police Department)

The fatal shooting occurred at 1:30 a.m. on December 16 when an assailant “apparently walked up somewhere from the rear of the (police) vehicle or alongside the vehicle and began firing into the vehicle striking our officer,” Harrison said last week. Holley then accelerated the patrol vehicle and crashed, officials said.

Arrests

Two men, Elliot Knox, 31, and Travon Shaw, 32, were charged for the shooting.

They were also charged with killing Justin Johnson, who was shot in a residence not far from where Holley was attacked shortly afterward. Harrison said both suspects confessed to the crimes.

Authorities say both shootings are related.

But a motive for Holley’s shooting  remains unknown and the police investigation is continuing.

“What we now know is that both shootings are related,” Harrison said last week. “As we now know the perpetrators of Officer Holley’s shooting, they then left that scene, went to Lucia Avenue and then committed that homicide of Justin Johnson.”

Knox said that Johnson had been killed because he owed money to Travon Shaw, who Knox said carried out both shootings.

Friends described Holley as witty and always smiling, saying he had the “true heart of an officer.” She was also a mother of four.

“She somebody’s daughter. She’s somebody’s mother. She got a couple kids,” said Pat Redmond, of Baltimore. “They have to celebrate their Christmas without their mom, and now their Christmas is going to be a tragedy for the rest of their life.”