Cop Shot In Both Arms Pursues His Would-Be Killer Until Backup Can Take Him Down

Skowhegan, ME – A judge set bail at $1 million on Thursday for the 29-year-old man accused of shooting Waterville Police Officer Timothy Hinton in both arms during a traffic stop a few days before Christmas.

The incident occurred on Dec. 22 after Officer Hinton stopped the suspect’s vehicle as he was responding to a shoplifting call at Walmart, WGME reported.

Police said that Richard Murray-Burns had an “assault-style” weapon in his car and opened fire on Officer Hinton in his police vehicle.

Officer Hinton was shot in both arms, WGME reported.

The gunman fled the scene and the wounded officer pursued him until other police units arrived to take up the chase.

Officer Hinton was transported to the hospital where he was treated and released the next day.

Police pursued Murray-Burns through two counties and the chase ended with a shootout in Canaan, according to WGME.

Officials said that eight officers opened fire on Murray-Burns.

The suspect was transported to Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor for treatment, WGME reported.

Murray-Burns was arrested on New Year’s Day, when he was released from the hospital, and charged with aggravated attempted murder.

He made his first court appearance on Jan. 2 and was ordered held on $1 million cash bail at the Somerset County Jail, WABI reported.

Waterville Police Chief Joe Massey said it was a “good day for the good guys” and called Officer Hinton’s actions heroic.

“I got to commend the officer,” Chief Massey said. “It was just heroic on his part to want to continue the chase after being shot. We counted a minimum of 15 bullet holes in our cruiser.”

The Maine Attorney General’s Office is investigating the incident and all of the officers involved in the shooting have been place on paid leave, as is protocol for all officer-involved shootings, WGME reported.