Bedford man shot repeatedly after aiming gun at state troopers

[palerider88]

BARTON - A man who was shot by Maryland State Police troopers after he repeatedly aimed a handgun at them following a traffic stop Tuesday evening on state Route 36 was 19-year-old Willis T. Clark of Bedford, Pa.

The Preston Street resident was taken to Cumberland Memorial Hospital by Tri-Towns Rescue Squad following the incident that occurred shortly after 6 p.m. No information was available from the hospital but Maryland State Police said that Clark remains hospitalized under police guard.

Clark's girlfriend was taken into custody at the scene and released following questioning. Police have not disclosed her identity.

The troopers - Tfc. James L. Layton, a 15-year veteran, and Tfc. Chris A. Roy, a five-year veteran - were not injured in the incident, Maryland State Police said.

Layton and Roy have been placed on administrative leave with pay, pending the outcome of an investigation.

The incident began following a domestic violence complaint made to the Allegany County 911 Joint Communications Division.

A deputy of the Allegany County Sheriff's Office responded to the complaint in the 19000 block of Lohigh Drive off Mill Run Road where initial reports indicated a man and woman were arguing.

The suspects were driving away when the deputy arrived at the residence. A lookout was posted with a description of the vehicle and the fact that the suspects could be armed.

Minutes later, the two state troopers stopped the suspect vehicle. The troopers gave verbal commands to exit the vehicle. Clark got out of the vehicle but failed to obey further orders before he began walking away.

As Roy approached him, Clark reached into his waistband, pulled out a semiautomatic pistol with a loaded magazine and pointed it at the troopers. Clark ignored troopers' orders to drop the weapon before both troopers fired their state police-issued, 40-caliber Beretta pistols at Clark, police said.

Clark fell to the ground but immediately jumped up and continued to aim at the troopers, who fired again. The wounded Clark then continued to aim his pistol at the troopers from the ground as the officers fired a third time.

Clark was struck several times in the upper torso and extremities.

The troopers then disarmed him, administered emergency care and called for an ambulance to take Clark to the hospital, police said.

A second pistol was then recovered from the vehicle, which was registered to Clark.

Charges are pending against Clark. Police said that during the investigation, they learned that Clark had threatened to kill any police officers who stopped him. The troopers also detected signs that Clark had been drinking heavily.

The investigation continues by the state police Homicide Unit, C3I and the state police Internal Affairs Unit, which routinely investigates shootings involving troopers.


****I know this is from Nov., but I just found out about it, and I couldn't find a previous post. This is very upsetting to me, as I know this boy. He has had mental/emotional problems all his life. His family has gone to great lengths to get him help. Some of my friends think the police used excessive force. I know they're very emotional right now, so I don't want to argue with them. But clearly Wit kept getting up and aiming a gun at them. So what do they expect? I'm very sorry for everyone involved, including the officers. I am also very thankful no one else was injured. :(

[Penguin]

I'm curious as to why someone with mental problems was allowed to register to get a gun (or two, as the case may be). Was he never professionally diagnosed as having mental illness?

[Taz_bb2]

Just remind your friends that NO ONE, in uniform or not, should ever have to wait to be shot at or stabbed before they defend their life.

We as LEO's are not responsible for the choices other people make. Wilt made the decision to point a loaded weapon at the Troopers. They reacted accordingly, as any normal human being who values life would.

[palerider88]

I'm curious as to why someone with mental problems was allowed to register to get a gun (or two, as the case may be). Was he never professionally diagnosed as having mental illness?

I wondered about this too. I know for a fact the doctor's have recommended meds and special classes for years. Maybe he could get a registered gun because he had no priors. Who knows?!

And Taz, thanks buddy. I tried to reason with them. But right now they only hear what they want to hear. Maybe after a little time goes by they will see it for what it truly is. One can only hope!

[fatboyjim154]

It was 2 legally carrying crazies that got guns restricted then banned over here.

[Group9]

The MSP are a pretty liberal force. He would have been shot a lot sooner down here where I am now. :D

[scott715us]

Justified shoot...case closed....next

[Scruit]

It was 2 legally carrying crazies that got guns restricted then banned over here.

Michael Ryan and Thomas Hamilton? Are you counting Albert Dryden, or was his gun held illegally?

[fatboyjim154]

Michael Ryan and Thomas Hamilton? Are you counting Albert Dryden, or was his gun held illegally?

Yep Micheal Ryan and his AK variant in Hungerford 1987,
http://www.crimelibrary.com/notoriou.../michael_ryan/
a year later the Firearma amendments act 1988 was written and enacted.

Thomas Hamilton 1996 Dunblane Scotland killed 16 kids and 1 teacher.
http://www.crimelibrary.com/notoriou...cre/index.html
Yep the 1997 Firearms amendments act was bourne which banned every gun legally owned.

I forgot all about Dryden, I think his gun was held illegally.

[Norm357]

I'm curious as to why someone with mental problems was allowed to register to get a gun (or two, as the case may be). Was he never professionally diagnosed as having mental illness?

What is this "gun registration" of which you speak.

Did a democrat come up with this?

[CelicaGuy]

Officers did the right thing...case closed. By the way dont all guns have to be registered right? I dont know which is why I am asking, I am thinking about getting one(a handgun) when I turn 18 so I can get some practice in before the acadmy.

[james13f]

Except for the People's Republik of Kalifornia and a few other right-restricting states...

GUNS DO NOT HAVE TO BE REGISTERED.

You have to apply for a permit to buy handguns. For long-guns you must be checked NICS (National Instant Check System).

The only copy of the permit is given to the gunstore.

Hell, I have a CCW so I don't even have to have a pistol permit, I can buy whatever the hell I want on a whim.

[james13f]

Officers did the right thing...case closed. By the way dont all guns have to be registered right? I dont know which is why I am asking, I am thinking about getting one(a handgun) when I turn 18 so I can get some practice in before the acadmy.

And the Federal age requirement on handguns is 21 years old.

You can practice with a shotgun or rifle... but you can't own a handgun.

[gringoscott]

And the Federal age requirement on handguns is 21 years old.

You can practice with a shotgun or rifle... but you can't own a handgun.

Here in the Peoples Republik, you can own your own handgun if you're 18. But mommy or daddy has to buy it for you.

My buddy got a jailer job and was required to carry during transport. Problem was, he was only 20. So daddy bought him a gun and the sheriff signed a waiver for him to carry on duty.

[WhiteLite]

Except for the People's Republik of Kalifornia and a few other right-restricting states...

GUNS DO NOT HAVE TO BE REGISTERED.

You have to apply for a permit to buy handguns. For long-guns you must be checked NICS (National Instant Check System).

The only copy of the permit is given to the gunstore.

Hell, I have a CCW so I don't even have to have a pistol permit, I can buy whatever the hell I want on a whim.

Never heard of a permit to buy a gun... You have to have the NICS check, but I never had to get a permit when I bought mine in VA a few years back... As far as registration, unless it's a machine gun (in the true sense) or some other federally regulated weapon, most states (to my knowledge) that will allow you to own one, don't require it to be registered.