Former Baltimore teacher not criminally responsible for shooting cop during mental health crisis

He doesn’t remember the shooting.

Andrew Britt said he was experiencing a mental health crisis when he shot Baltimore County Police Officer Jordan Riddick, attempted to kill Officer Brian Smith and assaulted Officer Jesse Wright in the parking lot of the Wilkens precinct in Catonsville on March 13, 2025.

But Britt said he was deeply remorseful for his actions, adding that he regretted the trauma he inflicted that afternoon. He said he was working to ensure that nothing similar would ever happen again.

“My heart goes out to all the officers,” Britt said. “I’m thankful, because it could’ve been worse.”

On Monday, Britt, 28, of Windsor Hills, pleaded not criminally responsible in Baltimore County Circuit Court to two counts of attempted first-degree murder and related crimes.

Describing the case as “sad and tragic all around,” Circuit Judge Dennis Robinson Jr. indefinitely committed Britt to the Maryland Department of Health for inpatient treatment after finding that Britt could not appreciate his actions or obey the law because of a mental health condition.

Prosecutors declined to contest a report from Dr. Stephen Siebert, an occupational and forensic psychiatrist, who concluded that Britt was not criminally responsible.

Assistant State’s Attorney Katherine Turnbull said prosecutors had “lengthy discussions” with Siebert before coming to that decision.

Turnbull and Assistant State’s Attorney Lauren Stone played surveillance footage and body camera video of the shooting. They also revealed new details about what unfolded that day.

Britt walked into the precinct and inquired about expunging a 2021 conviction for having a loaded handgun in a vehicle, Turnbull said.

While in custody, Britt told investigators that he had gone to work the morning of the shooting as a teacher at Liberty Elementary School in Baltimore and had stopped at McDonald’s for lunch, which is when he began to feel unwell.

He said that he later pieced together that he had committed the shooting after watching television reports and noting his injuries, Turnbull said. Police had returned fire, striking him in both legs.

Riddick and Wright sat in the jury box in full uniform but declined to address the court.

Capt. Michael Fruhling, commanding officer of the Wilkens precinct, described Riddick, Smith and Wright as some of the finest people with whom he’s served.

The shooting, he said, has left mental and emotional scars.

“The precinct where our officers work is, to them, one of the only places of refuge from the horrors they witness and the crimes they investigate,” Fruhling said. “Mr. Britt took that place away from them.”

Jessica Rubin, one of Britt’s attorneys, said there were no words to describe what police endured that day, and she thanked law enforcement for their response.

Mental health issues, she said, can affect anyone.

Rubin also pointed out that family members and friends of her client filled the courtroom gallery.

Andrew Britt’s father, Paul Britt, said his son comes from a family of civil servants.

“Andrew’s an outstanding young man, and a pillar of his community,” Paul Britt said, adding that what his son did that day is not representative of who he is as a person.

Paul Britt said he was thankful that Riddick had physically recovered from his injuries.

He said he continues to pray for the police officers and their families.