The Baltimore Police Department announced that a 39-year-old officer, who was hospitalized after she was shot in an ambush, succumbed to her injuries a week after the incident. According to The Baltimore Sun, Officer Keona Holley was taken off life support on Thursday.
The mother of four had been on admission at the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center after she was shot in the head while she was in her patrol car on December 16. Holley was working an overnight shift at the time.
The Baltimore Police Department on Thursday said the decision to take Holley off life support was reached following a discussion between her family and doctors. Police said she was pronounced dead not too long after.
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Following Holley’s death, Police Commissioner Michael Harrison and Mayor Brandon Scott commiserated with her family. “Baltimore will never forget Officer Holley’s sacrifice and commitment to making a difference in her beloved city,” said Scott. “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.”
Community residents said Holley was nicknamed “Mom from the West Side”, and she left a positive impact on residents and colleague officers. Prior to her death, a vigil was held for her on Wednesday as residents prayed for a “miracle.”
Two men have since been charged in connection with the shooting. The same men are also accused of fatally shooting a 38-year-old man 90 minutes after they ambushed and killed Holley. The two suspects were implicated in the shootings after police used surveillance footage obtained from the area to locate one of them, The Baltimore Sun reported.
That suspect, identified as Elliott Knox, admitted to investigators he was at the crime scenes. Knox also told police where the murder weapons had been kept.
Police are, however, yet to establish the motive behind the shootings.
