Armed Suspect Injured Fleeing Police Foot Pursuit In Wicomico Co.

(SALISBURY, MD) – While state and local police were working a criminal enforcement initiative this afternoon in a Wicomico County neighborhood where a shooting occurred last week, a suspect who was ultimately found to be armed sustained minor injuries after he fled from police attempting to talk with him and ran into the path of a responding police car.

The accused is identified as Kevin O. Garcia, 20, of Salisbury, Md. After consultation with the Maryland Gun Center and the Wicomico County State’s Attorney’s Office, Garcia is being charged tonight with firearm possession with a felony conviction, illegal possession of a regulated firearm by a prohibited person, possession of a firearm by a minor, wearing/carrying a firearm, and illegal possession of ammunition by a prohibited person. Garcia has been released to the custody of the Wicomico County Detention Center central booking unit for processing and his initial appearance before a court commissioner.

At about 1:30 p.m. today, members of the Maryland State Police Gang Unit and Firearms Enforcement Unit, along with investigators from the Wicomico County Narcotics Task Force, were working a criminal enforcement initiative on the west side of Salisbury. This initiative was in response to a shooting that occurred in the area on November 12, 2015.

Police saw a man cutting though several back yards near Germania Circle and West Main Street. As he neared the street, he saw investigators and immediately fled on foot while holding his waistband, causing investigators to believe he may be armed with a handgun. A foot pursuit of the man, later identified as Garcia, ensued.

During the pursuit, Garcia ran into the street, directly into the path of a responding covert police vehicle driven by a member of the Wicomico County Narcotics Task Force. The police vehicle was turning from West Main Street onto First Street when Garcia ran into the vehicle’s path.

Police found a loaded .22 caliber handgun in Garcia’s waistband. He sustained minor injuries in the collision and was taken to Peninsula Regional Medical Center where he was treated and released. He remained in police custody during his treatment at the hospital and was transported to the county’s central booking center upon his release. No shots were fired and no one else was injured in the incident.