[Scan-DC] Anybody copy the MD state trooper attack on I-495

[Greg Danes]

According to MSMBC


 Bizarre Beltway Attack Against State Trooper

   Below:


 updated 7/23/2011 11:45:23 AM ET

A Maryland state trooper was stabbed in the hand after responding to a call
for a traffic crash this morning on the Capital Beltway, authorities say.

A Good Samaritan stopped to help the trooper fight off the attack.

Police say the suspect, James A. Howard, 54, of Hyattsville, Md., called
police around 6:30 a.m. to say he'd just had a single-vehicle crash on the
inner loop of I-495, on the southeast side of the Beltway.

When Trooper Byron Tribue arrived, Howard approached on the trooper's car on
the passenger side. But when Tribue turned to get his hat from the back
seat, Howard ran to the driver's side and began attacking the trooper
through the window with a kitchen-type knife with a seven-inch blade,
Maryland State Police say.

The trooper was able to make an emergency call for backup and tried to fight
off the attack while still in his car. Around the same time, a passing
driver stopped and jumped on the back of the attacker, giving Tribue time to
get out of the car and escape further injury.

Police backup arrived shortly after, and the Good Samaritan left the scene
without identifying himself.

Trooper Tribue was treated at a local hospital and has been released.

Criminal charges are now pending against Howard. He is currently under guard
by state troopers at a local hospital, where he was taken for an evaluation.