He was with two other troopers who stopped the fleeing suspect.
Hagestown, Md. (KM) – Maryland State Police have released the name of the trooper who was injured last week apprehending a suspect in a mass shooting in Smithsburg. He’s Detective Sergeant Philip Martin who’s assigned to the Criminal Investigation Division Western Region.
Detective Sergeant Martin was with Lieutenant Vincent Uphole, the commander of the Rockville Barrack, and Master Trooper David Thompson, who’s assigned to the Hagerstown Barrack.
All were traveling in separate vehicles when they encountered Joe Louis Esquivel, 23, of West Virginia, along Mapleville Road and Mount Aetna Road following a mass shooting at Columbia Machine, Inc.. . They used their vehicles to block the road. Esquivel crashed into one of the vehicles, and began firing from his windshield. One of the troopers exchanged gunfire with the suspect. Both Martin and Esquivel were hit. They were transported to Meritus Medical Center for treatment. A handgun was recovered from the scene.
The troopers involved were placed on administrative duty pending the outcome of an investigation. The State Police Homicide Unit is investigating this incident.
The Washington County Sheriff’s Office says Esquivel, who worked at Columbia Machine, Inc., Bikle Road, is charged with three counts of 1st-degree murder and other offenses for shooting four of his co-workers on Thursday afternoon. Three died, and one was critically injured.
Esquivel was ordered held without bond during a bond review hearing on Monday in Washington County District Court.
By Kevin McManus