SUSPECT FATALLY WOUNDED IN TROOPER INVOLVED SHOOTING

Maryland State Police
03/18/2014

 SUSPECT FATALLY WOUNDED IN TROOPER INVOLVED SHOOTING

(SALISBURY, MD) – Maryland State Police are investigating a trooper involved shooting that fatally wounded a man who may have struck or dragged a trooper with his car while trying to avoid further police investigation at the Salisbury Barrack tonight.

Details are few and are preliminary at this time. Maryland State Police investigators from the Homicide Unit and Criminal Enforcement Division are on the scene conducting the investigation. Crime scene technicians from the Forensic Sciences Division are processing the scene, which includes the front of the Salisbury Barrack and a segment of Rt. 13, requiring both north and southbound lanes to be closed. State Highway Administration personnel are on the scene and have arranged a detour.

The preliminary information indicates a man entered the Salisbury Barrack shortly before 8:30 p.m. tonight and asked the duty officer to check a vehicle repair he had made after receiving a safety equipment repair order. The duty officer went outside to the parking spaces in front of the barrack with the man.

Moments later, the duty officer called for assistance outside the barrack. Another trooper who had just left the barrack returned immediately to assist. At this time, it is believed both troopers fired their Department issued pistols.

The duty officer was found lying along the edge of the parking lot near the entrance to Rt. 13. He had sustained injuries consistent with being struck and/or dragged by a vehicle.

The man who had come to the barrack was found in his vehicle about 150 yards north of the barrack on Rt. 13. His vehicle had struck the center median guardrail on the northbound side of Rt. 13.

EMS personnel responded and transported the man and the duty officer to the Peninsula Regional Medical Center. The man was pronounced dead at the hospital. The duty officer is being treated for injuries.

State Police investigators are conducting interviews and preparing a search warrant. Their investigation will continue through the night.

Members of the Salisbury Police Department and the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene to assist. An assistant Wicomico County state’s attorney is on the scene for consultation with investigators. When this investigation is complete, it will be presented to the Wicomico County State’s Attorney for review.

Further information, including the identity of the deceased man, is expected to be provided tomorrow. The investigation is continuing.