(ELKTON, MD) – A Cecil County Deputy fatally wounded an Elkton man during a traffic stop where the driver refused to stop and drove towards the officer earlier today.
The deceased man is identified as Terry (nmn) Garnett Jr., 37, of the 200-block of Locust Lane, Elkton, Md. He was pronounced dead at the scene
The identity of the Cecil County Sheriff’s Office deputy is not being released at this time. The deputy’s information will be released by the Sheriff’s Office.
Sheriff Scott Adams contacted the Maryland State Police Homicide Unit and requested its investigators conduct the police involved shooting investigation. Assistance is being provided by the State Police Criminal Enforcement Division, the Sheriff’s Office, and troopers from the North East Barrack.
The preliminary investigation indicates that at about 12:20 p.m. today, the Cecil County Sheriff’s Deputy attempted to make a traffic stop on a Mercury Mountaineer on Augustine Herman Highway, MD Route 213, in the area of Lewis Shore Road in Elkton Maryland. The Mountaineer refused to stop and proceeded on to Lewis Shore Road. At some point during the incident, the vehicle then turned around and accelerated towards the sheriff’s deputy. Fearing for his life, the deputy pulled his department-issued .40 caliber Glock pistol and shot multiple times at the vehicle. The Mercury continued into the backyard of a residence on Augustine Herman Highway where it struck a tree.
Cecil County emergency medical services personnel were immediately called and responded to the scene. Garnett was pronounced dead at the scene.
Crime Scene Technicians from the Maryland State Police responded to the scene and collected items of evidential value. All items will be forwarded to the Maryland State Police Forensic Sciences Division for investigation and analysis. The deceased has been transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Baltimore for an autopsy.
Investigators have been working throughout the day contacting residents in the area and attempting to identify witnesses. Anyone who may have been a witness is asked to contact Maryland State Police investigators at the North East Barrack, at 410-996-7800.
The Maryland State Police Homicide Unit investigation is continuing. Upon completion, the investigation will be forwarded to the Cecil County State’s Attorney’s Office for review.
Sheriff Adams has placed the deputy on routine administrative leave, as is procedure. An internal investigation will be conduct into the police involved shooting.
