Ep 15. A Badge and a Gun

In Criminal Minds season 11 episode 15, titled "A Badge and a Gun," the BAU team investigates a series of home invasions where the victims are all cops. The team suspects that the unsub may have some personal connection to law enforcement, and they race against time to find him before he strikes again.

The episode begins with a chilling scene of a suburban home invasion. A police officer and his family are held at gunpoint by a masked intruder who demands to know where the officer keeps his "stash." The officer tries to reason with the intruder but is ultimately shot and killed in front of his family.

As the BAU team arrives on the scene, they realize that this case hits close to home for some of them. Morgan, in particular, is unnerved by the fact that the victims are all cops and wonders if the unsub is intentionally targeting law enforcement.

The team begins to investigate the crime scenes and interview witnesses, looking for any clues that might point them in the right direction. Garcia analyzes the ballistics of the guns used in the home invasions and discovers that they all came from the same dealer.

This discovery leads the team to a gun show where they hope to find the dealer and question him about his clientele. Hotch and Morgan pose as interested buyers while Reid and JJ keep a lookout in the crowd.

Before long, they spot their suspect - a man in his mid-thirties who immediately recognizes the agents and takes off running. The team gives chase and finally catches him hiding in a nearby alley. They quickly learn that the suspect, named Kevin, is a former police officer who was fired after being accused of using excessive force on a suspect.

Kevin readily admits to purchasing the guns but denies any involvement in the home invasions. However, his smug demeanor and lack of an alibi make the team suspicious.

Later, the BAU receives word of another home invasion, and this time the victim is Reid's mother. The team is on high alert as they rush to Reid's childhood home to find out what happened.

When they arrive, they find Reid's mother unharmed but visibly shaken. She tells the team that the intruder demanded to know where her son was and was carrying a badge and a gun.

This is a major breakthrough for the team, as it confirms their suspicion that the unsub has some connection to law enforcement. They begin to sift through police records, looking for any officers who were fired or disciplined in the past year.

Their search leads them to a former cop named Sheriff Goodner, who was forced into retirement after being accused of corruption. The team quickly tracks him down and apprehends him with ease.

As they question him, they realize that he is not working alone - he has a partner who is still out there carrying out the home invasions. With this information, the team launches a massive manhunt for the second unsub, chasing him through the streets of D.C. and ultimately capturing him before he can hurt anyone else.

In the aftermath of the case, the BAU reflects on the impact that their work has on their personal lives. Morgan opens up to the team about his own experience with being targeted by an unsub, and Reid expresses gratitude for the love and support of his mother. The episode ends on a poignant note as the agents go their separate ways, ready to face whatever comes next.

Overall, Criminal Minds season 11 episode 15 is a gripping and emotionally charged episode that showcases the BAU team at their best. The episode is rife with tension and suspense, as the team races against time to catch the unsubs before they can kill again. With strong performances from the entire cast and a compelling storyline, "A Badge and a Gun" is a standout episode that will leave viewers on the edge of their seats.