STOLEN VEHICLE SUSPECT SHOT DURING ARREST AFTER PURSUIT

(CAPITOL HEIGHTS, MD) – A New Jersey man who fled from police in a stolen vehicle is under police guard at a Baltimore hospital after he was wounded in the hand by a state trooper while he was being arrested when the pursuit ended in Prince George’s County last night.

The suspect is identified as Thorne A. Wright, 23, who has addresses in Woodside and Lakehurst, New Jersey. Criminal and traffic charges against him in Maryland are pending. He is wanted on a warrant from New Jersey for violation of probation. Wright is currently under State Police guard at a Baltimore hospital where he is undergoing treatment for a gunshot wound to his hand.

The trooper involved in the shooting is identified as Trooper First Class Gabriel Lamptey, who is assigned to the Waterloo Barrack in Howard County. TFC Lamptey has been a trooper with the Maryland State Police for three and one-half years.

The preliminary investigation indicates that at about 9:10 p.m. yesterday, Maryland Transportation Authority Police identified a stolen vehicle traveling through the Ft. McHenry Tunnel. The vehicle was a GMC Envoy sport utility vehicle with New Jersey tags that had been reported stolen on March 19, 2011.

Four Maryland Transportation Authority Police officers attempted to stop the car on I-95 south of the tunnel. The driver and sole occupant of the vehicle, later identified as Wright, refused to stop and accelerated. Wright fled south on I-95 and a pursuit ensued.

As the suspect vehicle entered Howard County, troopers from the Waterloo Barrack, including TFC Lamptey, joined the pursuit, which reached speeds of more than 90 mph. The pursuit continued south on the inner loop of I-95/I495, where a state trooper from the College Park Barrack deployed stop sticks at Rt. 450.

The stop sticks deflated the left front tire of the GMC Envoy. This caused Wright to slow down and ultimately the vehicle was riding on the rim. Wright apparently pulled the vehicle to the right shoulder just north of Exit 13, Ritchie Marlboro Road.

Officers and troopers approached the stopped vehicle. The preliminary investigation indicates that as police attempted to arrest Wright, one shot was fired by TFC Lamptey, which struck Wright in the hand. No law enforcement officers on the scene were injured.

Wright was given emergency care and emergency medical services were summoned. Wright was transported by ambulance to Prince George’s Hospital. He was later transferred to Union Memorial Hospital in Baltimore.

The stolen vehicle was brought to the Forestville Barrack, where forensic investigators will continue to examine it. No weapons or other contraband have been found at this time.

Investigators from the Maryland State Police Homicide Unit are conducting the investigation, which is procedure in police-involved shootings. An investigation is also being conducted by the Maryland State Police Internal Affairs Unit. TFC Lamptey has been placed on routine administrative leave while the investigation continues.