He’s been placed on administrative leave with pay.
Westminster, Md (KM). The investigation continues into an incident in Carroll County Monday morning where a state trooper was stabbed, and his assailant fatally shot.
State Police spokesman Greg Shipley says the trooper was responding to Washington Road in the Westminster area to investigate two destruction of property cases. In one case, the victim said his tires slashed, and his vehicle had been damaged for the second night in row. While en route, the trooper heard about a second individual who contacted the Westminster Barrack to say the tires on his car had also been slashed. That person gave a good description of the suspect.
As he was approaching the intersection of Washington Road and Stoner Drive, Shipley says the trooper saw the suspect who was armed with a knife. He got out of his cruiser, and made contact with the suspect. “Ultimately, a confrontation occurred between the two. The trooper was stabbed by the suspect. The trooper fired his duty weapon and striking the suspect,” says Shipley.
Both men were taken to area hospitals. “The suspect was taken to the Carroll Hospital Center which was about a block from the scene where he was later pronounced deceased,” says Shipley. “The trooper was taken to Baltimore to the Shock Trauma Center where he was treated and fortunately released.”
State Police have identified the suspect as Michael J. D’Angelo, 34 of Westminster. Authorities say the preliminary investigation indicates the Maryland State Police at the Westminster Barrack had no prior contact with D’Angelo until Monday. They also say a motive for the stabbing remains unknown at this time.
“Certainly, the trooper will be recovering from his wounds for a period of time. But he will remain on paid administrative leave which is procedure whenever there’s a police-involved shooting,” says Shipley.
The trooper was not identified, but Shipley says he’s a six-year veteran with the State Police, currently assigned to the Westminster Barrack.
Shipley says the Maryland State Police Homicide Unit is investigating this incident. “Our Internal Affairs Division will also be conducting a concurrent investigation to the one being conducted by our Homicide Unit,” he says. “When our homicide investigation is complete, it will be presented to the Carroll County State’s Attorney’s Office for review.”
He says both the trooper and the suspect are white.
By Kevin McManus