Nov 4, 2009 2:57 pm US/Eastern
Wanted Man Fatally Shot After Fleeing Police
QUEEN ANNE'S COUNTY, Md. (WJZ) ―
A wanted Delaware man was killed by police early Wednesday morning after police say he drove the wrong way for about 25 miles on highways in Queen Anne's County and, when finally stopped, refused to surrender and pointed what appeared to be a handgun at police.
Christopher D. Hale, 37, from Delmar, Del., was wanted by Anne Arundel County authorities for second-degree escape, resisting arrest, reckless endangerment, and hindering a police officer.
At about 5:30 a.m., Maryland State Police at the Centreville Barracks and Maryland Transportation Authority Police both received 911 calls from motorists reporting a car traveling eastbound in the westbound lanes on Rt. 50 approaching Kent Narrows.
Police started following the car. The pursuit continued east on Rt. 50 and police used stop sticks at the Rt. 301 split, which were avoided by the suspect. The suspect continued to drive northbound on Rt. 301 in the southbound lanes. The suspect called 911 several times during the pursuit. During one call, the State Police duty officer repeatedly told him to pull over and surrender, but Hale told him he "could not stop" and that "he did not want to die."
Troopers again deployed stop sticks on Rt. 301 near the Welcome Center. Hale's vehicle struck the stop sticks and all four tires were punctured.
Hale continued northbound on Rt. 301 to Rt. 300 where he headed west, approaching Church Hill. About one mile down Rt. 300, Hale turned right onto John Powell Road. His car came to rest in a ditch on the right side of the rural road, with woods bordering both sides.
A trooper approached the front passenger window and shone his flashlight into the car. Authorities say he ordered Hale to show his hands and surrender. Instead of complying, they say Hale turned toward the trooper and pointed a black handgun at him. The trooper yelled "gun" to the other police officers on the scene and took cover.
Three troopers and a Maryland Transportation Authority Police officer fired their agency issued weapons at Hale. Hale was struck in the upper torso and was pronounced dead at the scene.
The troopers and Maryland Transportation Authority Police officer have been placed on administrative leave which is routine during the investigations of police-involved shootings.
The gun held by Hale was recovered in the car. Upon further examination, the gun was determined to be a Crossman BB gun. The gun was a replica of a semi-automatic pistol.
The car driven by Hale was determined to be a rental vehicle owned by Hertz. The car was due to have been returned to Hertz on Oct. 24.
Even though westbound traffic was moderate at the time the incident began, authorities say no vehicles were struck during the 25-mile pursuit.
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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