Maryland

Montgomery County Officer Died of Self-Inflicted Gunshot: Police

A Montgomery County police officer found shot in a parking garage Monday morning died of a self-inflicted injury, according to the medical examiner.

Officer Thomas J. Bomba was a 13-year veteran of the police department. He was 38 and was married with two children. 

Before he was found shot in the garage at Fenton Street and Ellsworth Drive in Silver Spring, Bomba called for backup.

At about 8:49 a.m., Bomba said by radio that he had encountered what police called a "disorderly subject." 

"I got flagged down. I guess there's a bunch of kids jumping around on the edge of the [inaudible] parking garage. Ellsworth and Fenton," Bomba told the dispatcher. He sounded calm. 

Fellow officers reached him in three to four minutes and found him suffering from a gunshot wound, acting Police Chief Marcus Jones said. 

"Officer down. Shot! Shot!" an officer can be heard shouting in police audio. 

"Shut down everything! Get everybody down here," another officer ordered. 

Bomba was rushed to MedStar Washington Hospital Center, where he died.

A large number of officers, some in full-body tactical gear, searched blocks of Silver Spring and shut down the area for hours.

Bomba's own gun was found at the scene. He was wearing his body camera, but it was not recording at the time.

Police continue to investigate the death.

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 provides people in distress, or those around them, with 24-hour support. The Crisis Text Line allows people to text 'Home' to 741-741 to connect with crisis counselors.

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