From the Harford County Sheriff’s Office:
Deputies from the Harford County Sheriff’s Office Southern Precinct and Special Operations Division were involved in the fatal shooting of a 58-year-old male in the 4400 block of Colt Lane in Havre de Grace.
On Thursday, May 30, 2019, at 7:20 a.m., Patrol Deputies assigned to the Harford County Sheriff’s Office Southern Precinct were dispatched for the report of an armed suicidal person. Upon arrival, deputies made contact with a male subject, identified as Steve Huff, 58, in the driveway of a residence in the 4400 block of Colt Lane.
Huff, armed with a firearm, was making statements consistent with suicide. After making contact with Huff, deputies established a perimeter, and deputies assigned to the Special Response Team of the Special Operations Division were requested to the scene to assume command of the incident.
Deputies attempted negotiation with Huff approximately 30 minutes. As a direct result of his threatening and escalating actions, which included him suddenly advancing towards the deputies, multiple deputies fired upon Huff for fear of their personal safety and that of the surrounding community. A Tac Medic deputy, on scene, immediately rendered medical assistance to Huff. He was pronounced dead at the scene. No deputies or civilians were injured during the incident.
The investigation was assumed by detectives with the Harford County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division. Investigators from the Forensic Services Unit responded to the scene to collect and preserve physical evidence in support of the investigation. Upon completion, the investigation will be forwarded to the Harford County State’s Attorney’s Office for routine review. The deputies involved have been placed on routine administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.
Sheriff Gahler remarked, “Any loss of life is tragic. Today, our deputies had to employ deadly force, a last resort for our personnel, and this action ended the life of a man who was struggling with thoughts of suicide, but sadly, his actions put other lives at risk. Earlier this week, we attended the ribbon cutting of the new 24/7 crisis center in Harford County. Today is a sobering reminder of its great need.”
If you, or someone you know, are suffering from depression, addiction, or any other mental illness, please know there are services available to help, you do not have to suffer alone. The new Klein Family Harford Crisis Center is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. There is also a 24/7 Crisis Center Hotline available at 1-800-639-8783.
It always amazes me how deadly force is used……there are methods of less than deadly force that are quite effective. Any bets the HCSO has none of them? Multiple Police Officers cant handle one man without killing him?
Once again an internal HCSO organization will investigate. I suspect we can accurately predict the findings today. The entire system in Harford County should not be trusted.
You need to seek some mental health care too.
Did you come up with that all on your own or did someone have to help you?
Maybe if you had the slightest clue of what you were talking about and not just being a hater, you would understand. But we all know you don’t care about anything other than your hate.
Keep drinking the Kool Aid. Multiple Officers should be able to handle one armed person without killing him. Unless you’re in Harford County
When they draw down on you I am sure your opinion will change.
Well, he did have a firearm. I assume he still had it in his hand or I don’t think they would’ve fired. At least it wasn’t a comb….
Did he have a gun? I wouldnt trust anything HCSO says. Have independent investigation.
“True Dat” Please handle the next situation with your less than lethal BS. Maybe you can invite him to put the gun down and play Jenga instead, talk about his problems over some warm milk. I’m sure that will go well, if not, it will clear some clutter out of the trash talk on the Dagger.
Had this situation turned the other direction and the man fired and killed an innocent person, you would be the first person to ask why the HCSO didn’t do something about it sooner. You can never win with people like you.
Threat removed, no innocent people harmed, well done HCSO
You make uninformed assumptions. We all know what happens when we assume. Correct? I disagree with your premise. Conduct an Independent Investigation if the shooting is justified. Seems pretty simple to me. HCSO wont do that as the truth may be revealed. Did he discharge the firearm? Did he actually lunge toward them? Independent Investigation not a cover up is in order. We all know that wont happen in Harford County. They are too busy circling the wagons. This press release is a prime example of creating a narrative that may or may not be true.
We can predict the outcome of the investigation with relative certainty when its conducted by the same department involved. What are they hiding? If nothing then bring an independent investigation in.
I’m more amazed that people like you who have never worn a badge want to come here to criticize the police and tell them how to do their job. One warning was enough.
One warning? Really? Who died and placed you in charge?
Don’t criticize the precious police….after all they are not accountable to anyone.
Harford County law…lol. Is there such a thing. Holy shit if a drunken judge like 4 time DWI Cooper can sit on the bench and administer judgment then no one should be surprised that a cop has killed another incident man in Harford Co
Good job deputies. He should have had the balls to do it himself. Scratch another one off of the Darwin list
Keep drinking the Kool Aid. Multiple Officers should be able to handle one armed person without killing him. Unless you’re in Harford County
When they draw down on you I am sure your opinion will change.
Moron please feel free to move back to baltimore city at anytime.
True dat, if you’re young enough, maybe you could become an LEO and show the police how it’s done!
Police officers do not take an oath to die!
It is very simple, if you point a gun at a police officer you will be killed.
Teach your kids that simple rule.
a concept lost on the inner city populous
A gun or a comb….given HCSO tactics
The comb incident involved Aberdeen Police, not the HCSO. I’m not trying to defend the HCSO, but if you have a gun and you start after any police officer you will probably get shot.
What ambulance was there first? Joppa Mag, the beast mode volunteers of Harford County?
What do you mean? What says.
Who drove up to Bel Air Fire station and did laps around it in?