STATIE SLASHED AFTER CARJACKING PURSUIT
Suspect shot after knife attack; both are expected to survive
“We heard ‘Get down’ and ‘He’s got a knife.’ It was scary to watch. I’m worrying about the police officer that got stabbed.’ HANNAH HUNTING 33, New Salem resident who witnessed attack
NEW SALEM — A state trooper was slashed in the forehead by a teen carjacking suspect who jumped out of the Camry he allegedly stole to attack the officer who was in pursuit, police and an eyewitness told the Herald.
“He went right to the police car and started stabbing him. I saw a gash on the officer’s forehead,” said Hannah Hunting, 33, of New Salem, who watched it all go down right in front of her house.
“I heard the officer groaning ... and the suspect got into his cruiser,” the mom added yesterday. “Another cop took over and they shot into the car.”
Hunting said she grabbed her two boys, ages 8 and 5, and jumped into a van in their driveway to hide.
“We heard ‘Get down’ and ‘He’s got a knife,’ ’’ she added. “It was scary to watch. I’m worrying about that police officer who got stabbed.”
She said other officers were able to handcuff the suspect after he got out of the cruiser.
The 47-year-old trooper was rushed to UMass Memorial Hospital in Worcester and is expected to recover, officials said. The trooper was described as “alert” when he arrived at the emergency room.
The 18-year-old suspect is also expected to recover, authorities said.
"This was just another example of how on any given day, a routine shift for a state trooper or any police officer can reverse 180 degrees and become anything but routine in a split second," said state police spokesman David Procopio.
The trooper, a married father and 10-year veteran of the force, was among those in pursuit of the teen, police said. They followed the suspect down Route 2 to Route 202 and then Orange Road near Fay Road in New Salem.
That’s when the suspect pounced, Steven Gagne, first assistant in the Northwestern district attorney’s office said.
"He proceeded to attack the state trooper who had become engaged in the pursuit moments before,” the prosecutor said. “He sustained multiple stab wounds to his head area, shoulder and neck area as well as his arm."
Gagne said the case remains open and authorities need to “confirm that there may have been a warrant for the 18year-old" who is from Manchester, N.H.
The pursuit started on the border with New Hampshire following a car crash. The teen allegedly stole the silver Toyota Camry from another driver at that crash scene, police said.
Hunting said it all happened so quickly and violently.
“People say nothing happens in our little town,” she added, “but there it was on our front lawn.”