SEARCH UNDERWAY FOR SUSPECT POSSIBLY WOUNDED IN CAMBRIDGE PD SHOOTING

(CAMBRIDGE, MD) -- A Cambridge police officer is undergoing treatment for non-life threatening injuries and a search is underway for a suspect who may be wounded after a police involved shooting early this morning.

The suspect is identified as Demetrice D. Demby, 39, of the 700-block of Douglas Street, Cambridge, Md. Demby may be injured and seeking treatment. Anyone who may have had contact with him or knows his location is urged to contact 911. Investigators are obtaining an arrest warrant for him and charges are pending.

The two Cambridge Police Department officers who fired their weapons are not being identified at this time for safety reasons. One officer is undergoing treatment at a hospital for injuries to his arms and legs, including a broken ankle. His injuries are believed to be non-life threatening. The other officer was not injured. Two other Cambridge Police Department officers who were on the scene did not fire their pistols and were not injured.

The police-involved shooting occurred at about 12:30 a.m. today, on the roadside in the 500-block of Leonard Lane, Cambridge, Md. Cambridge Police Department Chief Kenneth Malik requested the investigation be conducted by the Maryland State Police. State Police Homicide Unit investigators are conducting the investigation, which is procedure in police-involved shootings.

The preliminary investigation indicates that shortly before 12:30 a.m. today, two Cambridge Police Department officers stopped a 1995 Chevrolet truck for a traffic violation in the 500-block of Leonards Lane in Cambridge. Demby was the driver and sole occupant of the truck.

The observations and investigation of the officers during the traffic stop led them to request a K-9 unit to respond to scan the vehicle for possible drug violations. As the K-9 scan was being conducted, Demby accelerated the truck and is believed to have driven directly at one of the officers who was in front of the truck. That officer, in fear for his life, fired his pistol at the Demby. A second officer, fearing for the life of his fellow officer, also fired his pistol. Both officers were carrying department-issued .40 caliber Glock pistols.

The officer in front of the truck dove away as the truck passed him. It is unknown at this time if his injuries were sustained from the truck striking him, or from the fall as he dove out of the way, or both.

Demby continued to accelerate away and fled the scene. Cambridge police officers pursued Demby in his truck, but lost him within minutes. Demby’s truck was located a short time later abandoned on Muir Street, a few blocks away from the traffic stop. The vehicle had damage consistent with gunshots and investigators saw what appeared to be blood in the vehicle. It is not known if the blood is Demby’s, or if he was injured by a shot fired by police.

Maryland State Police Homicide Unit investigators are obtaining search warrants to further the investigation. They are being assisted in their continuing investigation by uniformed officers and investigators from the Cambridge Police Department. The Dorchester County State’s Attorney responded to the scene and will continue to be consulted by investigators during the ongoing investigation. When the State Police investigation into the police-involved shooting is complete, it will be presented to the State’s Attorney for review.

State Police crime scene technicians are on the scene and will be collecting evidence when the warrants are obtained. State troopers from the State Apprehension Team have responded to the area and are leading the ongoing search for Demby.