after a lunch break william scott kern resumed raining without his fellow instructor, a violation of policy as both instructors are supposed to check for service weapons. officer kern fired the shot that hit the trainee. the police commissioner is temporarily shutting down the academy. >> we're determined to make sure we get to the bottom of it to ensure nothing like this

after a lunch break william scott kern resumed raining without his fellow instructor, a violation of policy as both instructors are supposed to check for service weapons. officer kern fired the shot that hit the trainee. the police commissioner is temporarily shutting down the academy. >> we're determined to make sure we get to the bottom of it to ensure nothing like this happening again. >> consequences for officer kern will likely be within the department. >> their career is in big big trouble, maybe even determination. my guess would be it's probably not going to be criminal. >> a state police investigation is expected to take weeks. >> reporter: six officers including kern and the director have been suspended. i'm mike schuh reporting live. >> the city police union president telling the baltimore sun officer kern loved being a city policeman and feels remorse. >>> the teen stabbed to death following the reporter: good afternoons victory celebration will be laid to rest. 15-year-old deonte smith was stabbed to death on february 5th during a fight involving a large group of teens. t

officer scott kern is at homm... as he remains under 3 investigation.it comes as baltimooe's police commissioner... finds a new commander to take over 3 ((track)) training is expecttd to ressme at baltimore city's police academy this week. but the leadership has changed. -3 today, the olice commisssoner announced a new ddrector to oversee education and traiiing 3 get back to ork. city councilman brandon scott is - connident that the appointment of major oseph smith go a llng wwy to restore trust in the police cademm.23:18:59 pe's been in the dept sincee 1187 so he as he experrence - the depth and knowleege of the &ppept.((fullscrren)) smitt once served as commanderrof the police academy he was also a firearms (??) training instructor as well as, the commander of iiternal affairs smith's aapointment comms at - academyy an insttuctoo hot a police trainee in the head llst week. 23320:00 if they feellas if they're not safe in traininggthen they now - they're nottgonna be safe on the street the commissiooers suspended several top & commanders followiig last

. >>> baltimore city police say it was their officer, william scott kern who pulled the trigger of his real firearm that critically wounded a trainee. crn is an 18 -- kern is an 18-year veteran. he was assigned to the training session. kern was working with about 50 trainees that day but used his real firearm, pulled a trigger and but the a trainee right in the head, commissioner anthony batts also called for an audit of all training practices. that audit started in earnest this morning at police headquarters. >> this happened at the rosewood center. >> we turn to abc2's roosevelt leftwich with more. >> reporter: if you look at the old rosewood center, you might see little use in the oldie lap dated buildings. this is probably one of the perfect places. when the site was closed in july of 2009, more than 40 abandoned buildings were left on the site. now this is the perfect place are in police to use as they figure out different training scenarios. many different departments have used the old site including the baltimore county police. county police spokeswoman said county officers have

police have identified him as william scott kern. he's been with the department for about two decades. and the fraternal order of police has praised his work over the years. >> reporter: wjz is getting answers answers to many of the questions surrounding the training site in baltimore county. sources tell wjz, at the time, more than 1 dozen officers were undergoing training there by two baltimore city police instructors. those sources revealed, after lunch, one instructor decided to resume training before the other returned. wjz has learned, that violates police policy. instructors are supposed to check for s rv before training. as we first reported, sources say it was after the lunch break when someone present confused his service weapon with the training weapon. they reportedly look similar, except training weapons do not have live ammunition. the bullet hit the officer who works for the university of maryland baltimore in the head. police identified the instructor who fired the weapon as william scott kern, who has worked for balt

. >> reporter: and police released the name of that instructor, william scott kern. they released it a little more than an hour ago. he has worked for the department for almost two decades. the fraternal order of police has praised his work. the state's attorney says he is closely monitoring the investigation under way. >> reporter: wjz is getting answers to some of the many questions surrounding the shooting of an officer during training at the state-owned rosewood hospital site in baltimore county. sources tell wjz, at the time, more than 1 dozen officers were undergoing training there by two baltimore city police instructors. those sources revealed, after lunch, one instructor decided to resume training before the other returned. wjz has learned that violates police policy. instructors are supposed to check for service weapons before training. as we first reported, sources say it was after the lunch break when someone present confused his service weapon with the training weapon. they reportedly look similar, except training weapons do not have live ammunition. the

an incident at the old rosewood hospital site and severe ri injured another officer as william scott kern. more than a dozen trainees were at the facility at the time with two baltimore city training officers. those sources say after a lunch break officer kern resumed training without his fellow instructor, which could be a violation of police policy. both instructors are supposed to check for service weaponing during training. officer kern mistook his service gun for a training weapon, according to those sources and fired the shot that hit the trainee. a criminal investigation is under way. the results will be forwarded to the state's toesh. -- attorney. >> because the shooting occurred in any jurisdiction, we will sit back and wait for the investigation to be completed and once that is done we will review it and determine what, if any charges, need to be brought. >> the police commissioner shut down training and suspended six people. >> i was surprised that as i understand it six people were susquehanna penlded that quickly. now, under maryland law they would have to be suspended with p

. >> reporter: the recruit was shot by his training officer william scott kern who mistook his service weapon for a training weapon during an exercise inside the old rosewood center. less than two weeks later sources tell wjz that trainee is taking a little and able to recognize people. police commissioner, has visited the bedside. >> doctors said he is progressing better than they expected but this will be a long road. when you have those type of injuries he has sustained you can never be too sure we are out of the woods. >> reporter: the commissioner shut down the police academy for a week, six officers in the chain of command suspended. a wjz revealed a lack of staffing and supervision and that leadership didn't know the old hospital site was being used for training. maryland state police now conducting an investigation into what went wrong. >>> now two of those six officers suspended after the shooting have been reinstated four are still off the job tonight. >>> massive automatic spending cuts take effect in just over a week unless congress reaches a compromise. everyone from food

officer will yom scott kern, an 18-year veteran of the department is the one who shot the trainee. >>two hours there were 60 crashes on anne arundel road. an 18-year-old woman was killed in a deadly collision. police said most of the other accidents were minor and decide not involve anybody getting hurt. >> two young children and a mother burned in a house fire. the boys were taken to hopkins pediatric hospital and the woman to bay view burn center. smoke alarms were not operating. the cause still under investigation tonight. >>> beautiful weather in the wake of that weather late last night and early this morning. temperatures in the mid to upper 40s, as high as near 50 today. now we're down to 45 in centerville. 42 in mt. airy. 40 in the state capital. you

the officer who fired the shot that struck the trainee has now been identified as william scott kern, an 18-year veteran of the baltimore police department. on tuesday officer kern was the instructor working with 50 trainees at the rosewood site. the head of the union that represents baltimore city police officers said officer kern always came to work ready to get the job done. his integrity is beyond reproach and committed to the mission of the baltimore police department. he loved working at the academy, having been assigned for over 12 years teaching the recruits and preparing them for a career in law enforcement. this is a tragedy for everyone involved. now state police say their criminal investigation could take several weeks and did not plan to comment on it again until it's finished. all operations of the academy remain shut down tonight. christian schaefer. >>> there's talk in annapolis it could be up to us to decide on the death penalty. this is coming from senator mike miller who believes there's enough votes to repeal the state penalty. he thinks they'll petition the bill f

william scott kern has been suspended along with five others.ated like why kern continued without the other training officer present. all training has been suspended. i'm mike schuh reporting live. >> thank you . >>> this morning the teen fatally stabbed following the ravens victory celebration last week will be laid to rest. 15-year-old deonte smith was stabbed to death during a large fight with a group of teens. two other teens were injured that day. smith's funeral will be today. police are still searching for the teen who killed him. >>> a message from ray rice this morning after an impersonator sets up a fake facebook profile page trying to attract women and girls. they were sending private messages with inappropriate content and asking for face to face meetings with the women. rice says he opens it will presuede parents to talk to their kids about online safety. >>> the hollywood a -- casino plans to open table games in the spring. >>> stay with wjz 13, maryland's news station. up next, who gets the reward money after the death of ex-lapd

for some reason that didn't happen and leading to officer william scott kern shooting a trainee in the head. that trainee remains at shock trauma in critical condition. and maryland state police continue their work in the criminal investigation. in a release today they said they will take their results to the baltimore county state's attorney who will determine whether or not to file criminal charges in this case. brian kuebler abc 2 news. >>> there will not be a new trial for former anne arundel county executive john leopold, his attorneys filed a motion a week aft judge found leopold guilty of misconduct in office. the judge reviewed the motion and ruled it was without merit. leopold resigned from the county executive's office. and is scheduled to be sentenced on march 14th. >>> the man who took over for leopold says he wants to finish out the rest of the term. john hammond made that announcement today but says he is not going to seek another term when this expires in 2014. he says one of his first tasks is dealing with county employees who had to work through the investigation and t

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sources close to wjz tell us that instructor william scott kern mistook his service weapon for a similar weapon and fired, hitting that trainee right in the forehead. he was only one of two instructors at the time. and schwartz says there should have been at least four officers supervising that training. >>> meanwhile, state police are conducting what they are calling a criminal investigation. they say it will take several weeks to complete. kai, back to you. >> gigi, thank you. >>> new at 5:00 and 6:00, wjz investigator, mike hellgren, speaks to city councilmembers about their concerns and a lieutenant who worked with officer kern, shea shares his insights. >>> prosecutors charge olympian oscar pistorious with murder. the man who once inspired the world could soon spend the rest of his life in prison. >> reporter: oscar pistorious held his head in his hands and sobbed, as prosecutors accused him of the premeditated murder of his girlfriend. the 26-year-old pair olympic superstar is charged with killing model reeva steencamp. prosecutors say he shot his girlfriend in the early morning ho

. >> reporter: the recruit was shot by his training officer, william scott kern, who mistook his sense weapon for a training weapon, during an exercise inside the old rosewood center. now, less than two weeks later, sources tell wjz, that trainee is talking a little bit. and is even able to recognize people. police commissioner anthony batts has visited his bedside. >> the doctors have said to me that he is progressing better than they expected. however, they said this is going to be a long road. and when you have those types of injuries that he sustained, you can never be too sure we're out of the woods at this point in time. >> reporter: after the shooting, they shut down the police training. six officers in the command have been suspended. an investigation has revealed a lack of staffing and supervision and that leadership didn't even know the old hospital site was being used for training. they are conducting an investigation into what happened. >> reporter: police say that major joseph smith is retiring from the force to take another job that he had already informed the commissione

wjz has also learned the training officer, william scott kern, who baltimore police confirmed. the trainee kept raising his head when he should have remained hidden. he thought he was using a fake weapon, with simulator bullets. instead, it was his real service weapon with live ammo. >> we talked about the facts. his work ethics is impeccable. as a street cop, it's difficult. >> sources tell wjz there were only two training officers present when there should have been 4. >> there there have been more instructors at that site. where the exercise was being carried o. >> city councilmembers are outraged, stressing the importance of finding out what happened. >> how could that happen? why would there be a live weapon, live ammunition? what are the procedures? were they being followed? if they were being followed, something is absolutely incorrect. it's wrong. >> just a little anger. and how does this happen? shock is what i would say. these young men and women sign up to put their lives on the line in the street. not when they're training before they go on the street. >> and those

as part of our investigation, wjz has also learned the training officer, william scott kern, who baltimore city police confirmed pulled the trigger, was frustrated. the trainee kept raising his head, when he should have remained hidden. and kern put his weapon up to a glass window and fired. he thought he was using a fake weapon, with simulator bullets. instead, it was his real service weapon, with live ammo. lieutenant gene ryan worked with officer -- officer kern. >> he was one of the instructors out there. his work ethic is impeccable. as a street cop, it was no different. this one time, just to take that one second back, it's got to be devastating. >> reporter: sources tell wjz, there were only two training officers present when there should have been four. >> when they redeployed other places to where, you know, should there have been more instructors at that site? where the exercise was being carried on. >> training has remained suspended. the mayor said she was so angry over this, she was speechless. >> reporter: the mayor was outraged, stressing the importance of finding out what h

as part of our investigation, wjz has reported training officer william scott kern was frustrated hisrainee kept raising his head, when he should have remained hidden. so kern put his weapon up into a glass window and fired. he thought he was using a fake weapon with simulator bullets. instead, it was his real service weapon. >> the key is there are mistakes. we all agree with that. it was a cloud over city hall. and in the police department. >> reporter: the commissioner explained the shakeup in training leadership, saying, as we investigate the facts of this horrific tragedy, it's imperative that we put our best leaders in front to ensure that nothing like this ever happens again. >> reporter: and maryland state police are leading the investigation into the shooting. live in northwest baltimore, mike hellgren, wjz eyewitness news. >> mike, thank you. at last check, the injured trainee is in critical condition. >>> well, tonight, the white house is doing some damage control after a version of its immigration reform bill became public. the proposal was posted online by usa today over

exercise at 3 p3 the trainee hhs not been iddntified but police say he -was shot by instruutor scott kernpaint-cartridge pistol.state policc are cuurennly -3 invessigattng. kern hassbeen ssspended with pay. 3anotthr blow... foo... baltmore's.police academy..its aasttry we first - broke on foxbaltimore.com. p we've learrnd the maa appointed to takeeover the traiiing facility is retiring. major joe smith was picked to clean up the academy & after the cadet was shot.but 33 another....unnspecified.... & job.he will be replaced by & lieutennnt colooel ross bbzzuro. 3 iq: my goal is first off... - pafetyyisoq: enttrrd around safety or & our officers. officers.right now...buzzuroo commmnds theecity swat and pactical units. smith's departtre ...comes less thaa aa week... after police commmsssiner anthony bbtts.chose hii tt help et the academy back on track. smith will stay with the department until ay -3 3&pp aaformer ank teller has pleaded guilty to her role in tax raud scheme in which ssme seven thouuand fraadulent incomeetax returns were filed. 24 yeer old aissa mayo of greenbelt enteree the p

. >> reporter: wjz investigations have revealed the training officer, william scott kern, mistook hiservice weapon for a training weapon and shot the trainee try -- through a window. kern has been suspended, along with five other officers in the chain of command. >> we're going to do a comprehensive look to look at how we use guns, how we use tasers, how we use expandable batons. and not just in training. how we use these weapons in every facet in policing this city as a whole. >> reporter: our investigation also found a lack of staffing and sprfs supervision, that leadership doesn't -- didn't even know this old hospital was being united states --ed for training -- was being used for training. >> reporter: police also changed staff. >> arrest control techniques, tactics, firearms. that will be postponed until i look at pols policy. >> reporter: commissioner batts said he has been to the injured trainee's bedside. >> the doctor said that this will -- be a long road. i was glad to be able to be by his bedside. >> reporter: state police are looking into the incident. they say it will tak

. >> reporter: wjz investigations have revealed the train officer, william scott kern, mistook his training weapon for a service weapon. and shot the trainee in the head. kern has been suspended, along with five other officers in the chain of command. >> in my 30 years, i have seen it too many times, way too many times and we should have learned from those lessons. we have protocols here that we're not following. >> reporter: there was lack of supervision. that leadership didn't even know that the old rosewood hospital was being used for training. >> we will peel back with the goal of never, ever having that happen here again. >> reporter: police brought in major joseph smith to run the academy. >> arrest control techniques. tactics, firearms. >> reporter: commissioner batts revealed he's been to the injured trainee's hospital bed several times. >> the doctors have said to me that he is progressing better than whatta they expected. -- what they expected. however, they say this is going to be a long road. i was glad to be by his bedside. >> reporter: police have still provided no official co

last week, a training officer, william scott kern, shot a trainee in the head. the trainee remains in critical condition at shock trauma. state police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the shooting. >>> toddler slapped. an angry man with a crying baby is arrested for hitting the child in the face. anna marie green reports for wjz on the incident that is causing widespread outrage. >> reporter: the trouble started brewing almost immediately, when jessica bennett and her 2-year-old adopted son jonah took their seats next to joe humbly on a flight from minneapolis to atlanta, earlier this month. >> i said, oh, we're sitting next to you. and he just basically rolled his eyes and growled at us. >> reporter: hunley allegedly began to complain that jonah was too big to sit on his mother's lap, becoming more outspoken as the flight continued. >> he was annoyed with his comments. he would turn my light back on after i would turn it off. and constantly saying things in regards to my son. so i took us out of the situation and stood by the bathroom. >> she sto

. >> reporter: the recruit was shot by his training officer, william scott kern, whois mistook his service weapon for a training weapon, during an exercise inside the training center. now, sources tell wjz, that trainee is talking a little bit and is even able to recognize people. police commissioner anthony batts has visited his bedside. >> doctors have told me he is progressing better than they expected. however, they say this is going to be a long road. and when you have the kind of injuries that he has sustained, you can never be too sure we're out of the woods at this point in time. >> reporter: six officers in the command have been suspended. a wjz investigation has revealed a lack of staffing and supervision. and that leadership didn't even know the old hospital site was being used for training. the maryland state police is now conducting an investigation into what happened. >> reporter: and we know the trainee that was shot is in his 40s. his family has asked that he not be identified. live from shock trauma, meghan mccorkell, wjz eyewitness news. >> more than a dozen officers were

as part of our investigation, wjz has reported training officer william scott kern was frustrated hisinee kept raising his head, when he should have remained hidden. so kern put his weapon up to a glass window and fired. he thought he was using ray fake weapon, with simulator bullets. instead, it was his real service weapon. >> the key is to learn from your mistakes. there was a breakdown in communication big-time. we all agree with that. it was a cloud over city hall and in the police department. >> reporter: the commissioner explained the shakeup in training leadership, saying, as we investigate the facts of this horrific tragedy, it's imperative that we put our best leaders in front to ensure that nothing like this ever happens again. >> reporter: and state police are leading the investigation into the shooting. reporting live in northwest baltimore, mike hellgren, wjz eyewitness news. >> all right. thank you very much, mike. the trainee is still in the hospital right now. he has undergone several surgeries and was in critical condition at last check. >>> president obama is facing

and our sources say the officer who pulled the trigger, william scott kern, mistook his service weapon for a training weapon. >> this weapon that we carry on our hips, they are not toys. they're not here for games. they're not here for play time. we have a very serious job. and we have tremendous responsibility. >> reporter: maryland state police is leading a criminal investigation while baltimore city police look into the procedural breakdown. with deputy commissioner jerry rodriguez leading the investigation for the city. >> we will peel back that onion, with the -- the goal of never, ever, having a situation like that happen here again. >> reporter: the injured trainee is an officer for the university of maryland baltimore police. the commissioner said he's been by his bedside and talked to doctors who say he is progressing better than expected. at the training facility, mike hellgren, wjz eyewitness news. >> and new at 5:00, you'll hear from the new director of the training economy, -- academy, major joseph smith on his priorities. >>> a delegation of lawmakers in cuba today. five

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his name is william scott kern. he is an 18-year veteran of the force. police are handling the case. the victim is in critical but stable condition. >>> the teen stabbed after the rave ans parade will be laid to rest today. he was attacked last tuesday in downtown baltimore. police have not made any arrests in the case. they're asking for the public's help. >>> time to check the weather. >> let's talk about temperatures. it's cold out there. it's chilly. temperature at 34 degrees right now in oweings millss, arnold 37, bel air 30 degrees. today we'll stay dry, then we'll begin to city this cold front work in. along that cold front an area of low pressure. that's when we'll see the rain around 7:00, 8:00 p.m. this evening. on the backside of things we could wrap this up with snow and then wave coastal system a that could bring us more snow saturday afternoon. let's check traffic. >>> good morning. we do have several accidents. in baltimore city a crash on erdman avenue at sinclair lane. on the west side a crash on liberty heights avenue at i.r.s. road. no

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