State Police Trooper Stabbed, Suspect Shot After Central Massachusetts Chase
NEW SALEM (CBS) – A Massachusetts State Police trooper was stabbed multiple times while taking a carjacking suspect into custody after a chase in Central Massachusetts.
The trooper underwent surgery and was in stable condition at a Massachusetts hospital, State Police spokesman Dave Procopio said Friday night. His name is not being released at this time.
State Police said a pursuit along Route 2 ended at the intersection of Route 202 and Fay Road in New Salem.
The suspect, an 18-year-old man from Manchester, N.H., also underwent surgery and is in stable condition, Procopio said. His name was not released.
Police say the suspect was involved in a car crash around noon in Walpole, NH then allegedly carjacked the vehicle of the other driver involved in the crash. He then fled into Vermont. The pursuit began on Interstate 91 in Vermont and ended about 30 minutes later in New Salem.
During apprehension, the trooper was stabbed several times in the head, shoulder, neck and arm. The trooper is a 47-year-old who has been with State Police for 10-12 years. He is married with children, State Police said.
Procopio said in self-defense, the 18-year-old was shot one time in the stomach.
Both the trooper and suspect were taken to UMass Memorial Hospital in Worcester. The trooper is undergoing surgery but was alert and responsive while he was being transported. He is expected to survive.
State Police believe the suspect will also survive. He will be facing several charges including armed assault with intent to murder, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, reckless operation of a motor vehicle and failure to stop for police.
"This was just another example of how on any given day a routine shift for a state trooper or any police officer can reverse 180 degrees and become anything but routine in a split second," Procopio said.
