What to Know
- A trooper sustained stab wounds to the head, neck, shoulders and arm while trying to apprehend an 18-year-old man who fled a traffic stop.
- The trooper then shot the teenage suspect in the torso. Both men are expected to live.
- Officials said the multi-agency chase spanned 3 states, including New Hampshire, Vermont and Massachusetts.
A Massachusetts State Police trooper sustained stab wounds to the head, neck, shoulders and arm while trying to apprehend an 18-year-old man who had fled an earlier traffic stop.
Authorities say the teenage suspect from Manchester, New Hampshire, was then shot in the torso by the trooper, and both were taken to UMass Medical Center in Worcester with serious, but non-life-threatening injuries.
"We heard a screech and we heard a crash," said Hannah Hunting who lives where the crime spree ended. "The suspect jumped out of his car, and I saw him with his hand in his pocket so I immediately yelled at my kids to get into the van and get their heads down."
Officials say the multi-agency police chase began when the suspect crashed into another vehicle in Walpole, New Hampshire, around noon on Friday, carjacked that vehicle and then fled into Vermont and then down Interstate 91 into Massachusetts.
The suspect ran Jami Bartlett off the road.
U.S. & World
"My oldest daughter quickly prayed that everyone would be safe because we knew he was out to hurt somebody," Bartlett said.
State and local police located him driving the stolen vehicle and pursued him, with the chase ending at the intersection of Route 202 and Fay Road in New Salem when the suspect crashed. The teenage driver then exited his vehicle and proceeded to attack the state trooper who had been chasing him.
Hunting watched in disbelief as the teen attacked the trooper.
"The suspect ran to the police car and opened the door, I was watching from the van and I thought they were just punching, but I realized after that he was stabbing the police officer."
Hunting says the teen somehow got into the trooper's SUV as she watched the badly injured trooper shoot into the door of the SUV.
The trooper, a 47-year-old who is married and has children, suffered stab wounds to his shoulder and neck area and his arm. He was alert and responsive when he arrived at the hospital where he was rushed into surgery.
The name of the trooper is not being released at this time, but police say he is assigned to the Athol barracks and has been with the department since 2006.
"We're certainly hopeful and optimistic about his condition," First Assistant Northwestern District Attorney Steven Gagne said. "It appears as though he will survive the attack."
As investigators processed the crime scene into the night Friday, Hunting could only reflect at the violent struggle that played out right in front of her and her two young children.
"We had people praying and I'm just thankful, thankful that we stayed safe," she said.
The 18-year-old suspect who sustained a gunshot wound to the torso is also expected to live. His name has not been released.
Gagne said multiple charges are anticipated, including armed assault with intent to murder, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, reckless operation of a motor vehicle and leaving the scene of an accident.
Officials say they are also trying to confirm reports that the suspect might have been wanted in connection with a carjacking and might have had an outstanding warrant for his arrest.
Aerial footage from NBC10 Boston's Sky Ranger helicopter showed numerous police and fire vehicles at the scene.
A MedFlight helicopter was also seen landing nearby.
The incident remains under investigation by local and state police and the Northwestern District Attorney's Office.
