Teacher Found Not Criminally Responsible in Shooting That Wounded Baltimore County Police Officer

CATONSVILLE- An elementary school teacher diagnosed with schizophrenia months after shooting at several Baltimore County police officers and critically wounding one was found not criminally responsible Monday by a Baltimore County judge.

Andrew Britt, 28, will be committed to a state psychiatric hospital for treatment after Baltimore County Circuit Judge Dennis Robinson ruled he was not criminally responsible for the March 13, 2025, shooting at the Baltimore County Police Department's Wilkens Precinct.

The state will periodically evaluate Britt to determine when, and if, he can safely be released.

Britt had been charged with two counts of attempted first-degree murder, assault and weapons offenses.

Officer Jordan Riddick was shot once in the abdomen during the attack and was critically injured. He spent three days at the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center before being released. Several officers returned fire, striking Britt in the leg.

At Monday's hearing, Britt told Robinson he has no memory of the shooting. He apologized to the officers and called his actions "inexcusable and terrible."

"That Andrew was not me at all," he said.

He also expressed gratitude that Riddick survived.

"Someone could have lost their life that day," Britt said.

According to prosecutors, Britt was working as a physical education teacher at Liberty Elementary School in Baltimore City on the day of the shooting. He left the school during his lunch break and later notified administrators that he was not feeling well and would not return that day.

Assistant State's Attorney Katherine Turnbull said Britt arrived at the Wilkens Precinct, 901 Walker Ave., at 2:18 p.m. seeking information about expunging a 2021 gun conviction.

Surveillance video showed Britt removing a revolver from the pocket of his cargo pants before placing it back in his pocket and sitting down to wait for an officer.

After an officer told him he would need to visit police headquarters or the courthouse to obtain information about an expungement, Britt left the building.

Outside, Britt spoke with Officer Brian Smith, who was fueling his patrol vehicle in the parking lot. After briefly asking Smith about the expungement process, Britt walked away toward Walker Avenue.

Moments later, Smith saw Britt return.

"Officer Smith heard Mr. Britt say something to the effect of, 'I'm sorry I have to do this,'" Turnbull told the court.

Britt then pulled out his father's Smith & Wesson revolver and began walking toward Smith.

Smith drew his service weapon, took cover and ordered Britt to drop the gun. Britt fired first, and Smith returned fire, Turnbull said.

The gunfight continued as Britt moved onto a grassy hill behind the parking lot while continuing to shoot.

Officer Jordan Riddick, who had been standing near his personal vehicle, witnessed the exchange. After ordering Britt to drop the gun, Riddick was shot once in the abdomen.

Officer Jesse Wright also witnessed the shooting and fired twice, striking Britt and ending the gunfire. Officers immediately rendered first aid to both Riddick and Britt.

Turnbull said Britt had contacted a police officer he knew at the Wilkens Precinct earlier that day to ask whether he was working. That officer, however, was out of town.

At the hospital, Britt told investigators he believed someone had been following him for about nine months.

He said he remembered going to work, leaving for lunch and going into the precinct, but said he had no memory of the shooting. He told officers he only realized what had happened after seeing television news coverage.

Britt has a 2021 conviction for transporting a loaded handgun in a vehicle, which he was trying to have removed from his criminal record.

Court records show Britt was stopped in Dorchester County in October 2021 for having excessively dark window tint. An officer reported smelling marijuana and asked Britt to step out of the vehicle. The officer then saw a handgun in the driver's-side door, and Britt was charged with transporting a loaded handgun in a vehicle. According to charging documents, Britt did not have a permit for the Springfield Armory XD .45-caliber handgun. He was sentenced to three years in prison with all but 30 days suspended, according to court records.

A court-appointed psychiatrist concluded in January that Britt was not criminally responsible because a mental health condition prevented him from appreciating the criminality of his actions or conforming his conduct to the law. Prosecutors did not challenge that conclusion.

Riddick and Wright attended Monday's hearing but declined to address the court.

Wilkens Precinct Commander Capt. Michael Fruhling spoke on behalf of the department.

"The precinct where the officers work is one of the only places of refuge from the horror they witness and the crimes they investigate," Fruhling said. Britt's actions took that sense of safety away, he said.

He said the shooting left many officers with lasting emotional and psychological trauma.

"When Mr. Britt is eligible for release, I would only ask that his actions toward the law and society be considered heavily in that decision," Fruhling said.

Defense attorney Jessica Rubin said Britt has made significant progress since receiving treatment for schizophrenia.

"I think this case signals that mental health can affect anybody, anyone, at any time regardless of your upbringing, your character, or your intentions," Rubin said.

Britt's father, Paul Britt, a teacher, told the court his son graduated from Salisbury University, where he played football. He also said Britt's mother has worked in law enforcement for nearly 30 years.

Britt told the court he had always tried to serve his community as a teacher and as a youth mentor at an after-school boxing program.

"I'm not perfect, but I try to make every day count," he said.

He ended by telling the officers he hopes they can someday forgive him.