State trooper, suspect shot on I-95

Photo: WUSA9

BY PORTSIA SMITH

The Virginia State Police continue to investigate a double shooting involving a trooper that occurred along Interstate 95 just south of Thornburg yesterday afternoon.

A state trooper and an unidentified man were shot in Caroline County just hours after an unrelated double fatal shooting involving a campus police officer at Virginia Tech yesterday.

According to state police spokesman Sgt. Thomas Molnar, the agency received a report about a pedestrian walking on the southbound side of the interstate about 3:24 p.m. He said it is illegal to be a pedestrian on the interstate.

Senior Trooper Michael H. Hamer responded and located the man at the 116-mile marker, Molnar said.

After the man was placed in the patrol vehicle, Molnar said, a struggle ensued and shots were fired, injuring both men.

Hamer was transported by ambulance to Mary Washington Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. He was shot in the leg, Molnar said.

The pedestrian was flown to Mary Washington Hospital with life-threatening injuries, Molnar said.

The Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation Shoot Team is investigating the incident.

Hamer is assigned to the Culpeper Division’s Area 5 office, which encompasses Spotsylvania and Stafford counties.

All southbound lanes of I-95 near the 116-mile marker were shut down for several hours yesterday afternoon, creating huge traffic jams.

The Caroline and Spotsylvania county sheriff’s offices assisted state police at the scene yesterday.

Portsia Smith: 540/374-5419

Email: psmith@fredericksburg.com

Permalink: http://news.fredericksburg.com/carolinecrossroads/2011/12/08/shooting-shuts-down-i-95/