BREAKING: Maryland State Trooper Shot Multiple Times During Traffic Stop

Salisbury, MD – A Maryland state trooper was shot multiple times while conducting a traffic stop on Monday night, according to police.

The Maryland State Police (MDSP) said the incident occurred on Route 50 near the Vienna Scale House just before 10 p.m., WJLA reported.

Investigators said a Toyota Prius was traveling at speeds of more than 100 miles per hour just prior to the traffic stop, according to WUSA.

Shortly after the lone trooper pulled the vehicle over, the driver opened fire on him, according to investigators.

The trooper was hit multiple times, WJLA reported.

He immediately returned fire, but the gunman and two occupants inside the vehicle were not hit, police said.

The suspect, later identified as 23-year-old Keiford Lee Copper, then sped off eastbound on Route 50, WJLA reported.

Investigators said a second trooper heard radio traffic about the attack as he was heading home at the end of his shift.

He responded to the scene and found his fellow officer suffering from multiple gunshot wounds, WJLA reported.

He immediately began providing medical aid until emergency medical personnel arrived, according to WBAL.

The wounded hero was rushed to TidalHealth Peninsula Regional hospital in Salisbury.

MD STATE TROOPER HAS BEEN SHOT
EB Rt 50 – Vienna Scale House – Wicomico County, MD

A Maryland State Trooper just stopped a vehicle occupied 3 times. When the trooper stopped the vehicle, he immediately called out that he had been shot.

Multiple troopers are responding the area. pic.twitter.com/wqWysK8N7e

— Eastern Shore Undercover LLC TM/SM (@ShoreUndercover) March 7, 2023

Meanwhile, Delmar Police Department (DPD) officers spotted the suspect vehicle near Providence Church Road and Route 54 eastbound, WJLA reported.

They pulled in behind Copper and followed him as he drove to the 600-block of Elizabeth Street, which is a dead-end road in a residential area, according to WBAL.

That’s when police say the suspect allegedly tried to spin his vehicle around in an attempt to travel back the way he came, WJLA reported.

Copper ultimately “hit the curb, crashed into two vehicles, and came to rest after hitting a tree,” the DPD said.

Police swarmed the vehicle and found only Copper was still inside.

Investigators said the suspect was “slumped over the wheel with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound,” WJLA reported.

No shots were fired by law enforcement officers at the scene on Elizabeth Street, the MDSP said in a press release on Tuesday.

Hebron emergency medical services personnel pronounced Copper dead at the scene.

Investigators recovered a gun from inside the Toyota Prius, the MDSP said.

#ALERT @mdsp trooper was shot Monday night while conducting a traffic stop on Rt 50 near Vienna Scale House. The trooper was transported by ambulance to an area hospital for treatment of injuries. Investigation is ongoing. There is no threat to the public. Updates to follow. pic.twitter.com/ZPTyGGJvIE

— MD State Police (@MDSP) March 7, 2023

MDSP troopers from the Salisbury Barrack located two unidentified men on foot in a Hebron neighborhood at about 12:30 a.m. on Tuesday after someone called 911 about two suspicious males who were walking around the area, according to the news outlet.

The two subjects were taken into custody on Porter Mill Road without incident, the MDSP said.

They are believed to have been the two other occupants who had been inside the suspect vehicle at the time of the shooting, WBAL reported.

It is unclear whether they are facing any charges.

The wounded trooper, who has served the MDSP for more than 18 years, was treated at the hospital and has since been released to continue his recovery at home, WJLA reported.

His identity was not immediately released.

The wounded trooper has been placed on administrative leave while the investigation is underway, as per protocol, WJLA reported.

The MDSP’s Homicide Unit is conducting the investigation into the incident.

MDSP Forensic Sciences Division crime scene technicians also responded to both scenes to collect evidence.

Investigative findings will be forwarded to the Wicomico County State’s Attorney’s Office once they are complete.

The MDSP Internal Affairs Unit is also conducting a concurrent investigation.

This is a developing story and we will keep you updated. For all of our updates, follow us on Facebook and go to your news feed preferences under your settings, then select that you want to see more of The Police Tribune’s posts in your news feed. Otherwise, Facebook may not show you updates.