Authorities Say Delaware Man Shot At Trooper Multiple Times

Maryland State Police from the Criminal Enforcement Division arrested a Delaware man yesterday, January 15, 2019, who is suspected to have fired at police after an attempted traffic stop in Dorchester County, Maryland.

Authorities said the suspect is identified as Isaiah Peppers, 20, of Magnolia, Delaware. Peppers was arrested and charged with multiple crimes to include attempted first and second degree murder, first and second degree assault, illegal possession of a firearm, possession of a firearm by a felon, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony violent crime, eluding uniformed police by failing to stop, and other criminal and traffic-related charges. Peppers was arrested shortly after 1:00 p.m. yesterday in Hampton, Virginia by members of the Maryland State Apprehension Team.

Peppers was transported to the Hampton Police Department for processing in Hampton, where he was later arraigned. Maryland State Police will seek to extradite Peppers back to Maryland for an initial appearance hearing before a court commissioner.

Maryland state troopers investigating the incident were assisted by troopers from the Delaware State Police, and officers from the Seaford Police Department and Dover Police Department. These allied agencies provided key evidence which led to the recovery of the suspect vehicle on Saturday, January 12, 2019, in Seaford, Delaware. Police found the vehicle abandoned in a back alley on North Shipley Street in Seaford.

Further investigation led to the identification of the suspected driver of the Alero, later identified as Peppers, according to police. Police believe Peppers was the driver and sole occupant of the tan 2002 Oldsmobile Alero, the suspect vehicle involved in the shooting.

Maryland State Police enlisted the assistance of federal, state and local law enforcement in Delaware and Virginia to locate the suspected fugitive, including deputies from the U.S. Marshal’s Service Norfolk. Peppers was apprehended while he was walking in the 900 block of North King Street in Hampton, Virginia. Police located a .38 caliber revolver in his backpack and several rounds of ammunition in his pockets, said police.

Just after midnight on January 11, 2019, troopers from the Easton Barrack attempted a traffic stop for a speed violation in the eastbound lane of Route 392 in Dorchester County. The driver, later identified as Peppers, refused to stop. As police continued to attempt the traffic stop with their emergency equipment activated, Peppers reportedly fired several shots out of the driver’s side window, striking the trooper’s marked Ford Explorer multiple times.

Troopers did not discharge their agency issued firearms at any time during the incident, nor were there any reported injuries on the scene. A trooper’s agency issued SUV sustained several bullet strikes, shattering the rear hatch window and the right rear passenger window.

The investigation is being conducted by Maryland State Police investigators from the Criminal Enforcement Division Upper Shore Region. Troopers are consulting with the Dorchester County State’s Attorney as the investigation continues…

Original Story

Maryland State Police are searching for a vehicle and its driver after shots were fired at police during an attempted traffic stop yesterday in Dorchester County.

The vehicle is described as a tan/gold 2002 Oldsmobile Alero with Delaware tags. The Delaware license plate number is 186063. State and local police are actively searching for the vehicle and the driver. Police believe the driver was alone in the vehicle at the time of the shooting.

Just after midnight on January 11, 2019, troopers from the Easton Barrack attempted a traffic stop for a speed violation in the eastbound lane of Route 392 in Dorchester County. The driver refused to stop. A short pursuit ensued as police continued to attempt the traffic stop with their emergency equipment activated.

After approximately six minutes, the driver fired several shots out of the driver’s side window, striking the trooper’s marked Ford Explorer multiple times. The driver continued to flee, reaching high rates of speed. The Alero was last seen traveling eastbound on Route 392, east of the Finchville light towards Delaware.

Trooper 4 from the Maryland State Police Aviation Command responded to assist with locating the vehicle. Crime scene analysts from the Forensic Sciences Division responded to the scene to collect evidence.

No one has been arrested or charged with any crimes at this time. Investigators from the Maryland State Police Criminal Enforcement Division Upper Shore Region are actively investigating this case and ask anyone with information about this incident to call the Easton Barrack at 410-822-3101. All calls may remain confidential.

About Staff Writer

First State Update's Delaware editorial team covers New Castle County, Kent County and Sussex County breaking news, political news, and general news stories. We bring the reader the latest news from the Wilmington, Newark, Dover, Rehoboth Beach and all point in between. If you have news to share, email us at [email protected].

View all posts by Staff Writer →