A routine afternoon in West Baltimore, Maryland, turned into a deadly police confrontation on November 6, 2022, after officers received multiple emergency calls about a man armed with a knife who was reportedly attacking a woman in the street.
When Baltimore Police Officer Zachary Rutherford arrived at the intersection of North Fulton Avenue and West Lafayette Avenue, investigators said he saw a man holding a large kitchen knife near a woman who was on the ground.
The man was later identified as 46-year-old Tyree Moorehead of Baltimore.
According to the investigation, Rutherford repeatedly ordered Moorehead to get down and drop the knife. Investigators said Moorehead then moved on top of the woman while continuing to hold the knife close to her face.
Rutherford opened fire.
Moorehead was struck multiple times and was taken to the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center, where he was pronounced dead later that afternoon. The woman survived the encounter.
What Happened in West Baltimore?
The incident occurred at approximately 3:40 p.m. on November 6, 2022.
Baltimore’s 911 center received multiple calls reporting that a man had a woman pinned down in the street and was holding a knife.
One caller reported that the man had a knife near the woman’s neck, while another reported that a woman was being held on the ground.
Officer Rutherford and a trainee officer, identified in investigative records as Michael Hazel, responded to the area.
As the officers approached, they saw Moorehead standing near the woman while holding a large knife.
Officer Ordered Moorehead to Drop the Knife
According to the Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s investigative report, Rutherford exited his patrol vehicle with his firearm drawn and ordered Moorehead to “get down.”
Investigators said Moorehead then moved onto the woman while still holding the knife.
The report states that the knife was within inches of the woman’s face.
Rutherford continued issuing commands while moving toward the pair.
The investigation found that Moorehead did not comply with the commands and remained armed.
Officer Opens Fire
According to the official investigation, Rutherford fired 14 rounds from his service weapon.
The first 13 shots were fired rapidly as Moorehead remained on top of the woman and then rolled away from her.
Investigators said Moorehead continued to hold the knife as he moved.
Rutherford then fired a 14th and final shot after a brief pause, while Moorehead was still holding the knife and reaching toward the curb.
The woman was able to move away from Moorehead during the shooting.
Moorehead Was Shot 13 Times
An autopsy later determined that Moorehead suffered 13 gunshot wounds.
The wounds included injuries to his abdomen, flank, thighs, back and buttock.
The medical examiner determined the manner of death to be homicide, a classification used in forensic death investigations and not itself a finding that another person committed a criminal act.
Moorehead was taken to the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center, where he died at approximately 4:04 p.m.
Officers Provided Medical Aid
Following the shooting, officers began providing medical assistance.
Investigators’ review of body-camera footage showed officers requesting medical personnel and later performing emergency treatment, including chest compressions.
Paramedics eventually arrived and transported Moorehead to the hospital.
The responding officers were not injured.
The woman involved in the confrontation was treated at the scene for minor injuries, according to the Maryland Attorney General’s Office.
What the Woman Told Investigators
The woman later gave investigators an account of the confrontation.
According to the State’s Attorney’s report, she said she was walking home to pick up bags before going grocery shopping when Moorehead approached her.
She told investigators that she had never met him before.
She said Moorehead was carrying a knife and asked her for water before grabbing her and pulling her toward the middle of the street by her purse.
She also told investigators that Moorehead threatened her during the confrontation.
According to her statement, when police arrived and Moorehead initially moved away, officers ordered him to drop the knife. She said he then moved back on top of her.
The woman was not shot or stabbed during the incident.
Bodycam Footage Became Key Evidence
The Baltimore Police Department released body-camera footage after the shooting.
Two body-worn camera recordings were specifically reviewed in the investigative report: one from Rutherford and another from the officer trainee who accompanied him.
The footage allowed investigators to reconstruct the incident second by second.
According to the official report, Rutherford’s camera showed him approaching Moorehead after receiving the dispatch about a man with a knife holding a woman down.
The video then showed Moorehead moving on top of the woman while still holding the knife.
Investigators said the knife remained close to the woman’s face during the initial gunfire.
How Many Shots Did Officer Rutherford Fire?
Official ballistic evidence determined that Rutherford fired his service weapon 14 times.
The second officer at the scene did not fire his weapon.
Investigators examined the officers’ firearms after the incident and determined that the ammunition count was consistent with Rutherford having fired 14 rounds.
The autopsy found 13 gunshot wounds on Moorehead.
Was the Woman Randomly Attacked?
Investigators concluded that the woman did not appear to have a prior relationship with Moorehead.
She told detectives that she had never met him before the encounter.
The State’s Attorney’s report also documented multiple 911 calls describing a man with a knife threatening or attacking a woman in the street.
The available investigative record therefore describes the confrontation as an apparent attack involving people who did not know each other.
Moorehead Was Known for “No Shoot Zones”
The case received additional attention because Moorehead had been known in Baltimore for his anti-violence activism.
He became associated with Baltimore’s “No Shoot Zone” campaign and was known for painting the phrase on streets and buildings around the city.
The campaign was intended to promote areas where residents would reject gun violence.
His death therefore drew attention from both criminal-justice observers and people familiar with his anti-violence work.
Investigation Into the Officer-Involved Shooting
The shooting was investigated by the Maryland Attorney General’s Office Independent Investigations Division (IID)along with Baltimore authorities.
The IID was responsible for independently investigating the fatal police-involved incident.
The Maryland Attorney General’s Office later announced that its investigation had been completed in August 2023.
The investigation reviewed body-camera footage, witness statements, 911 calls, ballistic evidence, the autopsy and other evidence.
State’s Attorney Declines to Prosecute Officer
A major development came in September 2023, when the Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office announced that Officer Rutherford would not be prosecuted.
The State’s Attorney’s review focused on whether criminal charges against Rutherford were warranted.
The office concluded that the available evidence supported a finding that Rutherford’s use of deadly force was objectively reasonable to protect the woman from what investigators determined was an immediate threat.
The State’s Attorney’s Office therefore declined to prosecute Rutherford.
The Maryland Attorney General’s Office’s independent investigation provided factual findings but did not itself make a recommendation on prosecution.
What Did Investigators Conclude?
The State’s Attorney’s report specifically examined whether Rutherford’s use of deadly force was legally justified.
Investigators concluded that the available video evidence showed Moorehead holding a large kitchen knife while threatening the woman and then moving on top of her with the knife close to her face.
The report concluded that Rutherford had a reasonable belief that Moorehead was armed and posed an imminent threat to the woman’s life.
The State’s Attorney’s Office determined that Rutherford’s actions were objectively reasonable under the circumstances and declined to bring criminal charges.
The Case Raised Questions About Police Use of Force
Although the criminal investigation resulted in no prosecution, the shooting generated public discussion about police use of force.
Some observers questioned the number of shots fired, while officials focused on the immediate danger posed by a person holding a knife over another person.
The State’s Attorney’s report itself noted that its conclusion concerned the question of potential criminal liability and should not be interpreted as an opinion on non-criminal matters.
This distinction is important when discussing officer-involved shootings: a decision not to prosecute does not necessarily resolve every broader question about department policy, tactics or training.
Timeline of the Incident
| Time / Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Nov. 6, 2022 — ~3:40 p.m. | Multiple 911 calls report a man with a knife and a woman on the ground |
| Shortly afterward | Officers Rutherford and Hazel arrive |
| Moments later | Officers order Moorehead to get down |
| During confrontation | Moorehead moves on top of the woman while holding the knife |
| Seconds later | Rutherford fires his service weapon |
| After shooting | Officers provide emergency medical aid |
| Later that afternoon | Moorehead dies at University of Maryland Shock Trauma |
| Aug. 28, 2023 | IID investigation completed |
| Sept. 22, 2023 | Baltimore State’s Attorney announces no prosecution |
Key Facts at a Glance
- Location: West Baltimore, Maryland
- Date: November 6, 2022
- Intersection: North Fulton Avenue and West Lafayette Avenue
- Person killed: Tyree Moorehead
- Age: 46
- Officer involved: Zachary Rutherford
- Weapon reported: Large kitchen knife
- Rounds fired by Rutherford: 14
- Gunshot wounds found at autopsy: 13
- Second officer: Did not fire
- Woman’s condition: Survived; treated for minor injuries
- Investigation: Maryland Attorney General’s Independent Investigations Division
- Prosecution decision: No criminal prosecution of Rutherford
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Tyree Moorehead?
Tyree Moorehead was a 46-year-old Baltimore man who was fatally shot by Baltimore Police Officer Zachary Rutherford during a November 2022 confrontation in West Baltimore.
Why did police shoot Moorehead?
According to investigators, Moorehead was holding a large knife and moved on top of a woman while keeping the knife close to her face. Officers had ordered him to get down and drop the weapon before Rutherford opened fire.
How many times did the officer shoot?
Rutherford fired 14 rounds from his service weapon, according to the official investigative report.
How many gunshot wounds did Moorehead suffer?
The autopsy found 13 gunshot wounds.
Was the woman killed?
No. The woman survived the confrontation. She received treatment at the scene for minor injuries.
Was Officer Zachary Rutherford charged?
No. After reviewing the investigation, the Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office announced in September 2023 that it would not prosecute Rutherford.
Was body-camera footage released?
Yes. Baltimore police released body-camera footage showing the confrontation from officers’ perspectives.
Was Tyree Moorehead involved in anti-violence work?
Yes. Moorehead was known for promoting Baltimore’s “No Shoot Zone” anti-violence campaign and painting the phrase throughout the city.
Final Takeaway
The November 2022 shooting of Tyree Moorehead in West Baltimore remains a notable officer-involved shooting because of the circumstances captured on body-camera footage.
Police responded to reports of a man with a knife attacking a woman. Investigators said Moorehead continued holding the weapon and moved on top of the woman despite police commands.
Officer Zachary Rutherford fired 14 shots, and Moorehead suffered 13 gunshot wounds before dying at the hospital.
The Maryland Attorney General’s Independent Investigations Division and Baltimore City authorities conducted extensive reviews of the incident. In September 2023, the Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office declined to prosecute Rutherford, concluding that the available evidence supported the officer’s use of deadly force to protect the woman from an imminent threat.
The case also carried an unusual element: Moorehead had been publicly associated with Baltimore’s “No Shoot Zone”anti-violence campaign before his death.
Ultimately, the official investigation and prosecution decision provide the clearest documented account of the incident, while the body-camera footage remains an important record of the rapidly unfolding confrontation.