From the Maryland State Police:
(White Hall, MD) – An armed suspect sustained a non-life threatening gunshot wound after pointing his shotgun at a trooper responding to his Harford County residence.
The suspect is identified as John E. Murphy, 52, of the 1400 block of Norrisville Road, White Hall, Md. Murphy is currently receiving treatment for a gunshot wound to the shoulder at the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center.
Troopers from the Bel Air Barrack were dispatched to the residence for a possible armed suicidal subject shortly after 1:30 p.m., today. Gail Isennock called 911 advising her boyfriend was in the residence with a firearm stating he wanted to be killed by police. When troopers arrived, they were contacted outside the residence by Isenock. Troopers confirmed the information and attempted to establish a perimeter around the residence. The suspect exited the rear of the residence and pointed a shotgun at one of the responding troopers. In fear for his life, the trooper fired his shotgun striking the suspect in the left shoulder and left arm.
According to the preliminary investigation, the trooper, who was in full uniform, immediately identified himself and gave verbal commands ordering Murphy to put down his shotgun and surrender. Murphy refused and pointed the shotgun at the trooper. In fear for his life, TFC Quinn Dobbins fired one shot from his departmental approved 12 gauge shotgun.
EMS personnel were summoned to the scene. Murphy was transported by the Jarrettsville Volunteer Fire Department ambulance to University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center.
Maryland State Police investigators obtained a search warrant for the residence. State Police crime scene technicians processed the house and the yard for evidence. A 410 bolt action shotgun was recovered from the ground where the suspect was standing near the residence.
Investigators from the Maryland State Police Homicide Unit responded and are conducting the investigation, which is procedure in police involved shootings. They will be reviewing evidence developed in this investigation with the Harford County State’s Attorney’s Office to determine what criminal charges will be filed against Murphy in connection with today’s incident. Investigators will also present the State’s Attorney’s Office with their completed investigation for review, which is procedure in police involved shootings.
TFC Dobbins is an eight-year veteran of the Maryland State Police. TFC Dobbins has been placed on routine administrative leave, which is procedure in police involved shootings. The State Police Internal Affairs Unit will also be conducting an investigation.
Good job Trooper
Center mass Dude
He wasn’t shooting a deer….think before you write! A person pointing a shouldered shotgun is typically standing with one foot in front of the other, at an angle. If the shot hit center mass, the guy’s hand, arm or lead shoulder would’ve been struck. From the article, sounds like the trooper did, indeed, hit center mass
You make some assumptions of your own here. I have seen nothing that says the suspect was in a point shoulder position when he confronted the trooper.
TFC Dobbins thank you for your service. I am glad that you are ok, you did what was right. Any officer/trooper/deputy’s worst fear is having to fire upon an armed subject. You did what you are trained to do and for that you should be proud.
Should have blasted him in the face instead. That’ll learn his crazy self to point a shotgun on someone.
Sayeth the chickenhawk.
Trooper, you neutralized the threat and kept yourself and the public out of further harms way. Thank you and well done.
Great job Tfc. Dobbins. Be safe out there.
This man has been struggling economically for at least two years. I have passed his home for at least the last 20 months…with a For Sale sign that became increasingly more desperate. There but for the grace of God…goes each and every one of us.
This man was suicidal. His girlfriend was outside of the residence. No hostage situation… He was outside the home…why not a tranquilizer dart? The police were fully aware of his situation. We observed the assault on his home….one would think that it had been filled with terrorists, not a man who had reached the end of his rope.
Where was the compassion when HE pointed the gun at the State Trooper? A tranquilizer dart??? Are you kidding me? If HE wanted to kill himself then HE should have had the balls to do it himself. This man is a CoOWARD and you Sir or Mam are a dipshit!
He did use a tranquilizer dart, buck shot at center mass. Do not point guns at the Police in order to commit suicide by Cop. He apparently got what he wanted. I have no compassion for someone who points a gun at another person, OR A POLICE OFFICER.
Tranquillizer dart? Since when do police anywhere carry tranquillizer darts? They aren’t animal control and they aren’t James Bond. You’re a complete idiot and should stop watching so many spy movies.
From the story it sounds like this guy wanted to die and didn’t ahve the balls to do it himself so instead he tried to force TFC Dobbins to do his dirty work for him. TFC Dobbins did exactly what he needed to do make sure he went home safely to his family.
*COWARD
“Tranquilizer dart”- Really, you are a moron. You bring a Tranquilizer dart into a gun fight. This is the dumbest comment I have ever seen. Ok so the guy has money issues, well so does 50% of America. That doesnt mean that he can point a gun at the police. I encourage you to apply for the Baltimore City Police Department and when you make it to the road, make sure you bring your Tranquilizer dart.
Well written my friend … Lol
Captain Jack Aubrey here,
Tranq dart? Yeah no doubt that someone has been ‘sedated’ (pun intended) by Hollywood filmmaking.
If you’re gonna point a gun at something, you better be prepared to use it. Case in point TFC Dobbins had to assume that his was not going to make it home that night so he did the right thing by training his firearm back, with complete intentions to neutralize the situation.
We can be sympathetic to this mans problems but his course of action left the trooper no choice. Had he not pointed the weapon at the trooper this situation would most likely have been resolved without gunfire. A tragedy for both involved.
HEY MAN, TRANK DARTS DIDN’T STOP THOSE DINOSAURS
I guess they didnt say the magic word.
I am a Real Estate Investor…I cant believe I was the last to know his house was for sale!!?? I would have literally taken it off his hands…OR….I would have filed a bogus lien against it…waited until close to settlement…then use extortion tactics and ask for money from the agents to release the bogus lien…but unfortunately….when the bank wants to see the money I let him borrow and I can’t produce it….well…that would be blackmail if I asked for money or I would not release the lien right?…HHmmm…the States Attorney is going to have a field day with this…Ripoff Report sound familiar?
I banish thee troll.