Tuesday, April 12, 2011 – John Patti

A Maryland State Trooper shot and killed a Carroll County woman Monday night who was armed with a handgun and threatening suicide. State Police say the 40 year old woman refused repeated orders to surrender and repeatedly pointed the gun at the trooper.

The investigation is continuing and police remained on the scene overnight in the 4600-block of Upper Beckleysville Road in Hampstead.

Troopers from the Westminster Barrack were called to the home at about 5:40 Monday afternoon for a domestic situation between the woman and her sister, with whom she lived. While troopers were en route to the scene, a second call was received informing troopers the woman had armed herself with a handgun and was threatening suicide.

The woman’s sister reported she and her teenaged daughter had locked themselves in an upstairs bathroom. Two troopers, a Hampstead Police officer and a Carroll County deputy sheriff arrived at the two-story home shortly before 6:00 p.m.

The preliminary investigation indicates the woman appeared at upstairs and downstairs windows repeatedly pointing the gun at the police officers. Police say the woman refused repeated commands to drop the weapon and continued to repeatedly point the gun at the trooper.

In fear for his life, the trooper fired his Department-issued .40 caliber pistol, wounding the woman. Emergency care was immediately provided and EMS units were summoned to the scene. The woman was flown by Maryland State Police medevac helicopter to the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center where she was pronounced dead.

No law enforcement officers were injured.

State Police say the identities of those involved are expected to be released sometime Tuesday.