Massachusetts

Suspect Accused of Stabbing State Trooper After Pursuit Awaits Psychological Exam

The suspect allegedly led authorities on a multi-state pursuit from Vermont to Massachusetts on Oct. 19

What to Know

  • Nghia Le, 18, of Manchester, New Hampshire, faces multiple charges for allegedly stabbing an MSP Trooper after a multi-state pursuit.
  • Le is being held on $1 million cash bail pending arraignment.
  • The suspect was shot during the confrontation and was later released from the hospital to authorities. The officer is said to be recovering,

The man accused of stabbing a Massachusetts Police State Trooper following a multi-state pursuit is being held without bail pending a psychological examination.

At a court appearance Tuesday, 18-year-old Nghia Le refused to answer the judge's questions. He is accused of stabbing 47-year-old state police Trooper Mark Whitcomb in the head, neck, shoulders and arm.

Le, a Manchester, New Hampshire resident, faces charges that include assault with intent to murder, assault and battery upon a police officer and armed carjacking. He is being held on a $1 million cash bail.

On Oct. 19, authorities responded around noon to an armed carjacking in Walpole, New Hampshire. According to police, Le drove through Vermont and down I-91 to Massachusetts before the chase ended on Fay and Orange Road in New Salem when the suspect crashed at an intersection.

A woman told NBC10 Boston that Le allegedly got out of the stolen vehicle and ran to a police car.

"I was watching from the van, and I thought they were just punching, but I realized after that he was stabbing the police officer," Hannah Hunting said.

Police say the trooper, a 12-year veteran of the force, shot the suspect in response to the stabbing. Le was treated at UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester and was later released to the Franklin County Sheriff.

Prosecutors say Le attempted to steal a state trooper cruiser during the confrontation. They say he bailed out of jail just a day before the alleged stabbing.

Whitcomb's current condition is not clear, but he is said to be recovering.

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