Dayten Ernest Harper

The Washington Post's Fatal Force database records Dayten Ernest Harper in a fatal on-duty police shooting on 2016-07-14 in Baltimore, MD. Individual circumstances and legal outcome require case-specific review.

What happened

Dayten Ernest Harper, 33, was fatally shot by Baltimore police on July 14, 2016, at an apartment complex in the 2300 block of Winchester Street in West Baltimore. Four officers reportedly heard gunfire while driving nearby and traced it to the complex's parking area. Police said Harper, carrying an AR-15-style rifle, fired toward the officers and two of them returned fire. Harper retreated into the complex, where officers found him wounded; he was taken to a hospital and pronounced dead. Police later identified the two shooters as Officers Warren Benn and Christopher Thomas and placed them on routine administrative status. Early coverage cited an FBI warning about possible gang attacks on officers, but Police Commissioner Kevin Davis expressly said there was no information confirming Harper's involvement with a gang. One officer had a body camera, but authorities said it was not activated in time. The description of the exchange of gunfire originated with police, and the gang speculation was not substantiated.

Investigation & findings

Individual legal and investigative outcome not yet reviewed.

What happened

Investigation & findings

Sources & records