CHARGES FILED AGAINST CARROLL CO MAN IN ASSAULT ON OFFICER

(Taneytown, MD) – Maryland State Police investigators have obtained a warrant for a Carroll County man who was wounded by a police officer after he attempted to run down that officer and the woman he was trying to help last night in Taneytown.

The accused is identified as Gary D. Wolfe, 37, of the 300-block of East Main Street, Westminster, Md. After consultation with the Carroll County State’s Attorney’s Office, Maryland State Police homicide investigators applied for and obtained a warrant charging Wolfe with two counts of first degree assault and two counts of second degree assault. The charges will be served on Wolfe at the R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore where he remains a patient.

Taneytown Police Chief William Tyler has identified the officer involved in this shooting as Corporal Brian M. Jestes. Corporal Jestes is an 11-year veteran of the Taneytown Police Department and is assigned to road patrol duties. He is currently on administrative leave, which is procedure, pending the ongoing investigation.

Corporal Jestes responded to a 911 call at about 10:15 p.m. yesterday for a woman in need of assistance in the 400-block of Baltimore Street, Taneytown. Upon checking the area, he found a woman, later identified as Sarah M. Henry, an acquaintance of the accused, lying in the roadway behind a strip shopping center. While trying to assist Henry, the corporal saw a car driven by Wolfe accelerating towards them. The driver, later identified as Wolfe, refused the corporal’s orders to stop.

In fear for his life and the life of Henry, Cpl. Jestes fired his police-issued Glock .40 caliber pistol at the driver. Wolfe was struck in the arm. He is expected to survive.

Witnesses have told investigators they observed Wolfe and Henry involved in a heated argument moments before the shooting occurred. Wolfe was seen pulling Henry out of his car and leaving her in the street.

Chief Tyler requested the Maryland State Police Homicide Unit investigate this incident because it was a police shooting that involved a member of his department.