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East Freedom Man in Shooting was Wanted by Police

An East Freedom man who led police on a high-speed chase in Martinsburg Borough and North Woodbury Township on Feb. 26 and was wounded by a police officer has been charged and arraigned.

Willis Truman Irvin Clark, 32, was arraigned from his hospital bed at UPMC Altoona on Feb. 28 via video conference by Magisterial District Judge Andrew Blattenberger of Martinsburg.

Following an in-depth investigation by the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP), Clark has been charged with possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, persons not to possess firearms, possession of firearm with altered manufacturer’s number, flight to avoid apprehension, firearms not to be carried without license, fleeing or attempting to elude police officer and driving under the influence.

According to the police criminal complaint filed by Cpl. Shane Murarik of the Pennsylvania State Police, Troop G, Huntingdon, at approximately 5:51 p.m. on Feb. 26, Martinsburg Police Department Sgt. Justin Davis attempted to initiate a traffic stop in the Choice convenience store parking lot along North Market Street in Martinsburg borough. Sgt. Davis had found that the vehicle registration on the black Mazda 6 sedan was a “dead tag,” meaning that it was not current or valid in PennDOT’s records.

Fleeing

When Sgt. Davis activated his emergency lights in his marked patrol unit, Clark allegedly immediately accelerated at a high rate of speed, traveling eastbound on North First Alley, Martinsburg, traveling a one-way street in the wrong direction.

The pursuit continued eastbound on State Route 164 for approximately 1.4 miles. State police said speeds reached approximately 100 mph. Clark subsequently lost control of the vehicle just west of Fair Valley Road, North Woodbury Township, traveling off the roadway, striking a stop sign and coming to a final rest facing westbound.

According to state police, a female passenger was observed helping Clark out of the crashed vehicle. Both occupants fled eastbound on foot. Sgt. Davis deployed a Taser on the female passenger. According to state police, Clark continued to flee and displayed a .380-caliber pistol, which placed the officer and the community at risk. The weapon later was determined to have been loaded.

Sgt. Davis, in response to the threat, fired one round from his duty weapon, which struck Clark in the abdomen. Aid was rendered to both Clark and the female passenger by Sgt. Davis and the responding local emergency units, the Martinsburg Volunteer Fire Department and Hollidaysburg Ambulance. The suspect was in stable condition and being treated at UPMC Altoona at the latest report.

According to Randy Acker, Martinsburg Volunteer Fire Company chief, one of his firemen drove the ambulance to the hospital while medical personnel were providing aid to Clark.

According to the Altoona Police Department, the ambulance received a police escort from the 17th Street exit off Interstate 99 to UPMC Altoona.

Police investigation

The firearm was secured on scene and subsequently seized. State police said all evidence on scene was seized and transported to Pennsylvania State Police, Hollidaysburg, and placed into evidence storage.

That same evening, the Pennsylvania State Police Bedford Crime Unit interviewed the passenger at the Hollidaysburg police station. She confirmed that Clark was the operator of the vehicle. She told police that she was aware that Clark had active warrants for his arrest, which is why he did not stop when the police officer attempted to stop them.

The passenger advised police that she attempted to help Clark out of the vehicle to run. She said the Martinsburg officer was yelling for them to stop but they did not comply and continued to flee.

The passenger advised police investigators that she and Clark has used heroin earlier in the day. She advised there was heroin inside the vehicle and that Clark is known to carry a firearm.

Search warrant

At approximately 1:30 p.m. on Feb. 27 at Pennsylvania State Police, Hollidaysburg, a search warrant was prepared and served to search the Mazda 6 sedan.

Police said the registration plate was not displayed on the proper vehicle. The inspection was also expired. Located inside the vehicle were numerous clear plastic baggies, unknown brown pills, two scales and approximately 15 grams of raw heroin. Police said these items are consistent with the distribution and sale of drugs and narcotics.

A pistol holder containing another magazine and .380-caliber rounds was located behind the driver’s seat. The heroin was located inside the driver panel door. According to police, all items seized were within the reach of the driver of the vehicle.

Various drugs were seized from the incident, including additional heroin and suspected methamphetamine.

Clark currently has a suspended license due to DUI and active warrants for his arrest from Blair County.

According to police, the charges filed were the results of an independent investigation that included mobile video recorder footage from the Martinsburg police vehicle and an independent investigation of witnesses, first responders and collection of other evidence.

Sgt. Davis was uninjured in the incident and has been paced on administrative leave, which is standard procedure following an incident in which an officer discharges his firearm.

Blattenberger set bail for Clark at $500,000 cash. Clark will be remanded to jail following his release from the hospital.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Thursday, March 12, in front of Blattenberger.

 

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