POLICE: One man dead after attempted kidnapping, investigation ongoing

GREENSBORO, Md. – Maryland State Police are investigating the death of one man in Caroline County after he allegedly attempted to kidnap a child and then run from police.

According to a preliminary investigation, an officer was dispatched to Sunset Avenue just after 7 PM on Saturday in the area of the Choptank River Bridge. It was reported that a man, later identified as 19-year-old Antone Black, was dragging a 12-year-old child down the street.

The responding officer was assisted by an off-duty police officer from the Ridgely Police Department, who was in the area at the time of the incident. When police arrived on scene, Antone Black was spotted restraining the boy.

The officer from the Greensboro Police Department left his car and instructed Black to release the boy. As Black let go of the child, the officer asked if they were related.

Police say the boy yelled that they were not related, while Black told the police officer that they were brothers. The officer then instructed Black to place his hands behind his back.

Black told the police officer that he loved him and then immediately fled the scene. The officer pursued Black on foot, along with two other police officers who had arrived on scene to assist.

The foot pursuit ended at Black’s home in a trailer park in the 13000 block of Greensboro Drive in Greensboro. Black jumped into the driver’s seat of his car, parked next to the trailer.

When Black attempted to get out of the passenger side of the car, the officer deployed his department issued tazer. Black continued to flee the scene as he was met by two other officers and a civilian who attempted to restrain him.

During the struggle, police say Black continued to resist, biting two of the police officers and the civilian who was providing help. Black also struck one of the officers in the face, according to reports.

Black’s parents were standing at the doorway of the trailer and were heard telling Black to stop struggling and comply with the officers.

After several minutes of attempting to calm him down, police say Black was eventually placed in handcuffs and ankle restraints.

Moments later, while officers were monitoring his breathing, they recognized Black showing signs of medical distress.

Officers immediately called for an ambulance and administered Narcan and performed CPR. EMS providers arrived and took Black to Easton Memorial Hospital where he was later pronounced dead.

Black’s body was taken to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Baltimore for an autopsy. The autopsy did not reveal a cause of death, and no significant injuries were noted by the pathologist.

At this time the cause and manner of death is listed as pending. Toxicology results are also pending, along with the results of additional testing of vital organs.

The investigation is being conducted by the Maryland State Police Homicide Unit. State Police investigators are continuing to review body camera footage and conducting interviews with witnesses. State Police crime scene technicians responded to process the scene.

This is an ongoing investigation.