BALTIMORE (Map, News) - Baltimore County sheriff’s deputies fatally shot a man Thursday after he answered the door of his Lansdowne home holding a gun, police said.

Four deputies were serving a civil warrant on Wayne K. Hicks, 53, at his house in the 2200 block of Gaylawn Drive around 2:30 p.m. when they saw the gun and opened fire, said police spokesman Bill Toohey.

Toohey said Hicks was shot in the stomach, though he did not know how many times or how many shots were fired.

Hicks died at the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center, Toohey said. Court records show Hicks had a pending child-support case in Baltimore County Circuit Court.

Across the street from Hicks' home, Bob Mondo, 63, recalled hearing shots.

“I heard four bangs,” he said. “I thought they were firecrackers. My cat jumped up. We don’t usually hear gunshots around here.”

Mondo and other neighbors said they did not know Hicks.

“I see him cutting his grass,” Mondo said. “He lives by himself and he stays by himself.”

Mondo also said it was hard to tell the deputies were law enforcement by their uniforms.

“They didn’t look like police,” he said.

Neighbors described the street of single-homes as quiet and safe. One said he’d never even seen the police on the street.

“This stuff normally doesn’t happen around here,” said Betty McDowell, who added the 2200 block is a great spot to take kids on Halloween.

“They have the best candy,” she said.

Toohey said sheriff’s deputies receive the same firearm training as police.

Baltimore County police are investigating the shooting, he said.

lbroadwater@baltimoreexaminer.com