SALISBURY, Md.- Maryland State Police are investigating a trooper-involved shooting that occurred Wednesday morning after troopers were called to the home of an armed man allegedly threatening suicide.
Rick Howell, 59, of the 27000-block of Sunbury Court, Salisbury, was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency personnel.
Shortly after 10 a.m. Wednesday, Maryland state troopers from the Salisbury Barrack were dispatched to the above address after an emergency call was received reporting a suicidal person.
The preliminary investigation indicates three uniformed Maryland state troopers found Howell in the backyard of his home and saw he was armed with a handgun.
According to the investigation, troopers repeatedly ordered the man to drop his weapon.
They attempted to engage him in a dialogue and told him he did not have to do this.
The preliminary investigation indicates that during the confrontation, three troopers fired their weapons.
State police investigators have interviewed two family members at the home who said they had contact with Howell before troopers were called and he was threatening suicide.
Neither those individuals or a child inside the home were injured.
No troopers were injured in the incident.
The investigation is ongoing and complete details are not known at this time.