(Libertytown, MD) – One of the two troopers involved in the standoff that fatally wounded a woman armed with a semi-automatic handgun early yesterday morning has been named.
One of the two troopers involved is Corporal Eric Corbin. Corporal Corbin is an eight year veteran of the Maryland Department of State Police. He is assigned to supervisory and road patrol duties at the Frederick Barracks.
The second trooper involved is not being named at this time. He did not fire his agency issued weapon.
At approximately 12:30 a.m. yesterday, Corporal Corbin, along with a second trooper, were dispatched to the scene of a domestic disturbance involving a firearm. The emergency 9-1-1 cell phone call to the Frederick County Law Enforcement Center came from Dean Perkins, 45, a resident of the 12,000 block of Main Street in Libertytown, Maryland. Dean is the husband of the deceased.
The deceased is identified as Veronica Harding-Perkins, 46, of the 12,000 block of Main Street in Libertytown, Maryland. The autopsy revealed that she died of gunshot wounds. Further tests are being conducted and additional results are pending. Additional details will not be released due to the ongoing investigation.
Police received information that Harding-Perkins had access to loaded firearms inside the Perkins residence. Upon the troopers’ arrival to the scene, several attempts were made to make contact with Harding-Perkins who was inside the home, which is attached to a business. Harding-Perkins refused to respond to police requests for surrender.
Police were met by a tenant of the Perkins residence who confirmed again that Harding-Perkins was inside, armed with a semi-automatic pistol. He also told police that Harding-Perkins demanded he leave the premises to avoid harm.
The troopers entered the business side of the dwelling and repeatedly announced their presence. Again, there was no response from Harding-Perkins. The troopers then exited the business side and attempted entry through the front door of the adjacent residence.
Knowing Harding-Perkins was armed with a loaded weapon, CPL Corbin took cover behind a soda machine located off of the front porch of the home. As he peered around the corner, Harding-Perkins was standing inside of her front door with her semi-automatic pistol pointed at the trooper. Fearing for his life, as well as the safety of others, CPL Corbin responded by firing his agency issued firearm.
Hardings-Perkins retreated back into her home. The two troopers backed off and immediately secured the area and called for assistance from the Maryland State Police S.T.A.T.E. team (Special Tactical Assault Team Element) and the Hostage Recovery Team.
At this time, there was no clear evidence indicating Hardings-Perkins had been injured.
Proceeding on the side of caution, police secured the area and an evacuation was made of the adjacent residents. The Maryland State Police S.T.A.T.E. team, the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office SWAT team, and the Hostage Recovery Team made every attempt possible to gain communication with Harding-Perkins. Again, police received no response.
Fearing for the safety of anyone inside the residence, the S.T.A.T.E. team gained access using forced entry at approximately 5:45 a.m. Harding-Perkins was found lying on the dining room floor next to a semi-automatic pistol, loaded with eight rounds of live ammunition. Harding-Perkins was transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for autopsy.
Both state troopers who reported to the incident are on administrative leave while this investigation continues.
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
ill bet had they backed off instead of making the situation more hostile it would have ended diffrently like she would still be alive ....standoff or not if they had waited long enough she might have calmed down and came out on her own im sure her though processes were not right at the time this happened
ReplyDeleteI so agree!
ReplyDeletewtf are you talking about? You have no idea because you weren't there you p.o.s. Don't make bets you have no idea about.
ReplyDeleteGreat job Troopers! This was def. suicide by cop
The police had access to two people who could say if there were others in that residence/business....did THEY say there were others inside? And if the area was sealed off and evacuated, why was there a big rush to get inside? Personally, I think that letting the person inside have some time to "cool off and calm down" MAY have lead to a different outcome, but once a gun is pointed at a cop (that was the official story), then I have no problem with the police using deadly force...don't touch a cop (like the chick in Atlanta that got punched after pushing an officer) and DEFINITELY don't point ANYTHING at them...sometimes, the suspect doesn't leave the police much wiggle room...boom boom---out go the lights.
ReplyDeletejoe....you can print my "lmclain" on that last post---- i didn't meant to be anonymous....
ReplyDeleteI can't change your comment.
ReplyDeleteI just love to hear people second guess the actions of Officers. Do you realize that you had longer to write your comments then these Troopers had to react. Yet, you dare to question there actions from the safety of your office chair. Shame on you.
ReplyDeleteAre we supposed to assume everything any police officer does within the context of a fatal shooting is excusable?
ReplyDeleteI live about 6 houses down from this shooting and I have to agree with the first comment. If the officer was "taking cover behind the soda machine" he's actually standing almost directly in front of the window of the residence. if there is any point to announcing their presence, then why wouldn't they wait it out across the street?
I also think we should question whether using the paramilitary arm of the local police force to storm into a highly emotional domestic situation is the best course of action if you don't want anybody getting killed.
"I just love to hear people second guess the actions of Officers."
ReplyDeleteAre we supposed to assume everything any police officer does within the context of a fatal shooting is excusable?
I live about 6 houses down from this shooting and I have to agree with the first comment. If the officer was "taking cover behind the soda machine" he's actually standing almost directly in front of the window of the residence. if there is any point to announcing their presence, then why wouldn't they wait it out across the street?
I also have to question whether using the paramilitary arm of the local police force to storm into a highly emotional domestic situation is the best course of action if you don't want anybody getting killed.