Martinsburg Borough Police Department Officer Involved Shooting Wednesday Evening

A suspect is in the hospital following a police officer-involved shooting outside of Martinsburg on Wednesday evening.

According to Pennsylvania State Police, Hollidaysburg, on Wednesday, Feb. 26, at approximately 6 p.m. a Martinsburg Borough police officer observed a vehicle commit a traffic violation. The officer attempted to initiate a traffic stop, but the operator of the vehicle failed to stop. As a result, a brief pursuit ensued.

The fleeing vehicle crashed in the 2500 block of Cove Mountain Road, North Woodbury Township. Following the crash, the two occupants of the vehicle attempted to flee the accident scene on foot. While the officer was attempting to take custody of the individuals, one of the suspects displayed a firearm. In response to the threat, the officer discharged his department-issued firearm, striking the suspect in the abdomen. The suspect was transported to UPMC Altoona by Hollidaysburg Ambulance and is and is being treated. The suspect is reported to be in stable condition.

Radio traffic on Blair County's 9-1-1 system at the time of the incident indicated that personnel from the Martinsburg Volunteer Fire Co., Station 80, were on scene and reported a gunshot wound to the lower abdomen. At the time of the incident, fire department personnel reported that the wound was being treated by compression and requested an expedited response from EMS.

The suspect is in custody and poses no threat to the community. The other occupant of the vehicle was subsequently released pending further investigation.

The Martinsburg Borough police officer was uninjured in this incident and has been placed on administrative leave. Troop G of the Hollidaysburg barracks of the Pennsylvania State Police is investigating along with the Blair County District Attorney's Office.

The Herald will provide updates on this website as reliable information becomes available and a full report in the March 5 edition.