BALLISTIC VEST WEARING FUGITIVE ARRESTED AFTER PURSUIT ON SHORE

(SALISBURY, MD) – An area fugitive who was armed with a handgun and threatened suicide led police who were attempting to arrest him on a pursuit this morning through Wicomico County before he surrendered and was taken into custody.

The suspect is identified as Deshawn D. Darling, 38, of the 300-block of Pryor Avenue, Salisbury, Md. After today’s incident, Darling is being charged with multiple crimes including first and second degree assault, possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, as well as related firearm, drug and traffic charges.

Members of the Maryland State Apprehension Team and the State Police Criminal Enforcement Division were in Wicomico County this morning searching for Darling, who was wanted on a violation of probation warrant from Dorchester County and warrants from Delaware. At about 9:15 a.m., Darling was observed leaving what is believed to be his most recent residence in a Dodge van.

Police attempted to stop Darling on Rt. 13 near Carroll Street. Instead of stopping, Darling pulled quickly onto Rt. 13 and deliberately rammed an unmarked Maryland State Police vehicle that had its emergency lights activated, before accelerating away. Maryland State Police troopers from the Criminal Enforcement Division and the Salisbury Barrack pursued the vehicle. Police from the Salisbury Police Department, Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office, Fruitland Police Department, and the U.S. Marshals Service assisted in the pursuit. The pursuit continued south and north on Rt. 13 and surrounding roads.

During the pursuit, a man who identified himself as Darling called 911 and advised county emergency operators that he had a gun and was going to shoot himself. Police continued their pursuit of Darling to the parking lot of a store in the 1300-block of N. Salisbury Blvd. Darling was arrested without further incident.

Arresting troopers and police officers found Darling was wearing a bullet-proof vest. A handgun believed to be loaded is plainly visible in the van. Investigators are obtaining a search warrant for the van and will be processing it later today.

A minor crash occurred during the pursuit between a police vehicle and a civilian vehicle, but there were no injuries. Another crash occurred when stop sticks were deployed by the Fruitland Police Department and the suspect swerved into oncoming traffic to avoid them. An oncoming motorist swerved to avoid the suspect and struck a curb and parked car. The driver was not injured.

The investigation is continuing.