Suspect In Custody After Shooting Two Deputies And A MSP Trooper In Port Deposit On Sunday

HAVRE DE GRACE - A suspect is in custody after allegedly shooting two Cecil County Sheriff's Office deputies and one Maryland State Police trooper in Port Deposit on Sunday.

Officials have not released the names of the injured officers. Maryland State Police clarified that the wounded trooper was rushed from the scene to the University of Maryland's Harford Memorial Hospital in Havre de Grace, where he was treated and released. The injured deputies were taken to Christiana Hospital in Delaware, where they are receiving treatment.

On Sunday, Cecil County Sheriff Scott Adams told the Cecil Whig that neither deputy was suffering from life-threatening injuries after he visited the wounded deputies and their family members at the hospital.

Police have identified the suspect as Daniel Padraig Colin Donnelly, 23, of Elkton.

Daniel Padraig Colin Donnelly (Credit: Maryland State Police)

Donnelly is facing three counts of attempted first-degree murder, attempted second-degree murder, and reckless endangerment, in addition to the burglary charges.

What Happened?

According to police, Cecil County deputies and an MSP trooper responded to reports of a burglary in progress at the unit block of Twin Lakes Drive in Port Deposit shortly before midnight on Saturday.

An MSP spokesperson said the suspect was believed to be inside the home when police arrived. A preliminary investigation revealed that two deputies and the state trooper entered the property's backyard, where the suspect shot them.

The suspect then fled into the nearby woods, instigating a manhunt. Additional law enforcement responded to the scene and set up a perimeter to contain the suspect. Officials clarified that the deputies and troopers on the scene did not fire any shots.

Shortly after 4 a.m. on Sunday, police received a report describing a suspicious man at a convenience store located in the 1300 block of Jacob Tome Highway in Port Deposit, around three-quarters of a mile from the scene of the shooting. An MSP spokesperson said that the suspect was soliciting customers for a ride.

Troopers responded to the convenience store and made contact with the suspect, later identified as Donnelly, police said.

The MSP spokesperson said that "the on-scene investigation indicated his involvement in the shooting." Donnelly was arrested at the convenience store and transported to the North East Barrack for processing.

According to police, investigators recovered a shotgun from the scene of the shooting.

Both wounded deputies and the wounded trooper have been placed on administrative leave, police reported.

The investigation is ongoing.

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