Police said two men are dead after a gunfight in which an off-duty Maryland state trooper intervened and fired shots.
Maryland State Police identified the deceased as Michael T. Ward Jr., 27, and Jaquan M. Griffin, 21, both of Salisbury.
State police said two off-duty troopers were working security about 2 a.m. Sunday at a Denny's restaurant in Salisbury, when they saw a crowd gather in the parking lot and then heard shots fired.
One trooper called Salisbury police, and the other approached the crowd.
Police said the trooper, a seven-year veteran, saw Ward firing a handgun. Police said Ward then turned toward the trooper and began firing. Police said the trooper returned fire.
A few minutes later, Griffin walked into the restaurant and fell to the floor.
Police said they believe Ward shot Griffin. They are unsure if Ward was fatally wounded by Griffin or the trooper.
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Autopsies are being conducted, and state police are continuing their investigation. Internal affairs officers are involved in the investigation, which police said is routine for all shootings involving a trooper and deadly force.
Neither trooper was injured. Police did not immediately identify the races of the deceased or the trooper.
Police did not immediately identify the races of the deceased or the trooper.
