HAGERSTOWN --- Maryland State Police report that they are continuing their investigation into a police involved shooting on Thursday when a Trooper shot dead a wanted man who drew a semi-automatic handgun on the trooper while on a traffic stop.

The deceased has not been positively identified and family members have not yet been notified. He is believed to be a 27-year-old Pennsylvania man. He was transported to Washington County Hospital where he died shortly thereafter.

At approximately 2:30 p.m. today, Trooper First Class Christopher Barnard, of the Maryland State Police Hagerstown Barracks, stopped a 1997 red Saturn for speeding on eastbound Route 40, prior to Indian Springs Road in Washington County. After obtaining a license and registration from the driver of the vehicle, TFC Barnard returned to his patrol car to run a background check where he discovered at least three outstanding warrants for the driver’s arrest in various jurisdictions.

While TFC Barnard called for backup, the female passenger, Christine M. Younker, 47, from the 400-block of Harmonia Road in Warfordsburg, Pennsylvania, voluntarily exited the vehicle.

Corporal Todd Weaver of the Hagerstown Barracks responded as backup to the scene. Both troopers approached the vehicle in order to take the driver into custody. The driver refused to exit the vehicle at which time CPL Weaver observed the driver produce what was later determined to be a fully-loaded handgun. In fear for his and his colleague’s lives, CPL Weaver drew his Department issued pistol and fired at the driver.

Emergency care was rendered continuously until fire and ambulance units arrived. The injured driver was transported to Washington County Hospital where he was pronounced dead a short time later. The female passenger was uninjured.

CPL Weaver, a 12-year veteran and TFC Barnard, a 14-year veteran of the Maryland State Police will be placed on routine administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation into this incident. Members from the Maryland State Police Homicide Unit, Hagerstown Barracks, Forensic Sciences Division, Crash Team, Internal Affairs Unit, and the Washington County State’s Attorney’s Office are conducting the continuing investigation.

Washington County Sheriff’s Office, the Maryland State Police Aviation Division, Washington County Fire and Rescue and the State Highway Administration assisted with this incident.