An investigation is underway after a trooper was shot while conducting a traffic stop in Wicomico County.
The trooper is not being identified at this time. He was transported to TidalHealth Peninsula Regional in Salisbury for medical treatment of injuries sustained in the shooting. He is an 18-and-a-half-year veteran of the Maryland State Police.
The suspect is identified as Keiford Lee Copper, III, 23, of Trappe, Maryland. He was the driver of a Toyota Prius at the time of the incident. Copper was confirmed deceased on the scene by emergency medical service personnel from Hebron.
There were two other occupants in the Toyota Prius. They are not being identified at this time. Both are currently in police custody.
Shortly before 10:00 p.m. last night, a Maryland State Trooper from the Easton Barrack attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a Toyota Prius on eastbound Route 50 near the Vienna Scale House. The trooper approached the passenger side of the vehicle to make contact with the driver.
During the traffic stop, the driver brandished a firearm and fired at the trooper, striking him several times. The trooper returned fire. None of the occupants in the vehicle were struck. The driver fled the scene traveling eastbound on Route 50.
Commenter on the Dispatch posted the rap sheet for the gunman once again he should have been in jail for prior gun violations but was out.
Not his first time illegally carrying a gun. Glad e saved the people of MD some money and whacked himself.
Charge No: 1CJIS Code:1-1454Statute Code:CR.4.203. (a)(1)(v)
Charge Description: LOADED HANDGUN IN VEHICLECharge Class:Misdemeanor
Probable Cause: YES
Offense Date From: 04/20/2021To: 04/20/2021
Agency Name: Officer ID:
Disposition
Plea: GuiltyPlea Date:08/02/2021
Charge No: 2CJIS Code:1-0175Statute Code:CR.4.203
Charge Description: HANDGUN IN VEHICLECharge Class:Misdemeanor
Probable Cause: YES
Offense Date From: 04/20/2021To: 04/20/2021
Agency Name: Officer ID:
Charge No: 3CJIS Code:1-1106Statute Code:PS.5.133.(B)
Charge Description: REG FIREARM:ILLEGAL POSSESSIONCharge Class:Misdemeanor
Probable Cause: YES
Offense Date From: 04/20/2021To: 04/20/2021
Agency Name: Officer ID:
Charge No: 4CJIS Code:1-1285Statute Code:PS.5.133.1
Charge Description: ILLEGAL POSS AMMOCharge Class:Misdemeanor
Probable Cause: YES
Offense Date From: 04/20/2021To: 04/20/2021
Agency Name: Officer ID:
Another catch and release.
Feb. 28, 2022
CAMBRIDGE — A Trappe man found guilty of illegally having a handgun on his person was sentenced to six months in jail Monday.
Keiford Copper III, 22, was sentenced to two years in jail with all but six months suspended during a Feb. 14 trial in the Dorchester County District Court after pleading guilty to the misdemeanor charge of having a handgun on his person. He was also credited with 86 days of time served. The remaining charges were dismissed by the state.
Omitted from this story as well as WBOC – an armed Civilian held the 2 perps (on the ground) until LEOs arrived. Bless that civilian and their right to bear arms and always KUDOs to our LEOs. The LEO report included the armed Civilian.
Media and politicos – don’t be afraid to have a discussion on gun ownership.
Thank you 10:32 for the additional information that wboc failed to report. More news control, kind of like f**kbook and twitter