Wild moment naked man is seen prowling the streets of Baltimore - before running into a convenience store where he pulled out a MACHETE and is shot in the leg by police

Dramatic bodycam footage had showed police shooting a man as he attacked them with a huge knife and a machete.

Russom Gebretsadik, 37, minutes earlier flung feces at cops after they pursued him as he ran inside a corner shop wearing only a pair of socks.

He first came to the attention of police when he was spotted wandering around West Pratt Street in southwest Baltimore almost completely naked.

When police arrived about 9.14am on December 30, he walked inside the convenience store and into a back area with stairs leading up.

James Stokes, a nine-year veteran cop, and his partner Officer Mato, pursued him inside through the dingy backrooms until Mato was hit by flying objects.

Russom Gebretsadik, 37, first came to the attention of police when he was spotted wandering around West Pratt Street in southwest Baltimore almost completely naked

When police arrived, he walked inside the convenience store and into a back area with stairs leading up

The pair retreated from the stairwell and called for backup and a ballistic shield, with Mato saying Gebretsadik was throwing faeces.

He was hit in the hand by a heavy object, but suffered only a minor injury and held his position until help arrived.

When backup arrived, Mato told them the suspect was 'waiting for us at the top of the stairs' and they needed a shield to continue.

Armed with the shield, Stokes led the officers up flights of stairs to the third floor, clearing rooms in a ramshackle apartment as they went.

Gebretsadik, now fully clothed, suddenly appeared at the top of a flights of stairs and swung at Stokes with a combat knife in one hand and a machete in the other.

He then threw the knife at Stokes, who deflected it with his shield but was cut in the face during the encounter.

Stokes quickly retreated down the stairs and fired his pistol five times. 

Armed with the shield, Stokes led the officers up flights of stairs to the third floor, clearing rooms in a ramshackle apartment as they went

Gebretsadik, now fully clothed, suddenly appeared at the top of a flights of stairs and swung at Stokes with a combat knife in one hand (pictured) and a machete in the other

The machete is visible in Gebretsadik's left hand as Stokes retreats down the stairs

After seeing Gebretsadik slumped at the top of the stairs, he walked up the stairs and handcuffed him while preventing him from picking up a nearby wrench.

Gebretsadik had been shot in his left leg and offered little resistance as he was arrested.

'While he was being taken into custody, he was still reaching for a weapon, but officers were able to render aid to him and put a tourniquet on his leg, probably saved his life,' Police Commissioner Richard Worley said. 

Gebretsadik was charged with attempted first-degree murder, attempted second-degree murder, and related crimes.

Commissioner Worley said he was released from hospital and sent to lockup. He will face court later this month.

After seeing Gebretsadik slumped at the top of the stairs, he walked up the stairs and handcuffed him while preventing him from picking up a nearby wrench