The FBI is investigating the Baltimore Police Department's fatal shooting this month of a driver whom officers started chasing because they believed he was speeding. The pursuit occurred despite a city police policy that prohibits officers from getting into car chases with suspects unless there are "exigent circumstances," said police spokesman Matt Jablow. Police shot Lornell Antonio Wilkins, 31, on April 1 after a five-mile pursuit that led into the 2400 block of Greenmount Ave., according to a police report. "I have a lot of questions and concerns," said Joe Coe, Wilkins' half-brother. "I am concerned about the use of excessive force to de-escalate a situation that the police initially recognized as a traffic violation." Officers have said they ended the chase by boxing in Wilkins' sport utility vehicle with their cars. They have said Wilkins tried to flee, struck a police cruiser and put officers in danger. Coe said he filed a complaint yesterday with the FBI. Agency spokesman Barry Maddox confirmed that the FBI is investigating the shooting but declined to provide details. Wilkins, of the 2600 block of Robb St., did not have a driver's license and was developmentally disabled, his brother said. Lornell had a learning disability, he had an IQ of 60 to 70 which put him on a third-grade level," said Annette Coe, Wilkins' sister. Coe said her brother was test-driving a SUV that was for sale that day, but he did not have a driver's license. So, when police turned on their flashing lights, Coe said: "He's scared, he's nervous, he is going to panic." His brother said he counted 21 bullet entry wounds. "At what point," Coe said, "did my brother no longer present a threat?" [more] and [more]
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