Police: Md. man shot after charging law enforcement with knife; investigation ongoing

Police say on Monday morning a Salisbury man was wounded when troopers discharged their weapons after he charged at them with a knife.

Maryland State Police say around 1:15 AM, troopers with the MSP Salisbury Barrack were dispatched for a welfare check to the 200 block of Hall Drive, in Salisbury. Troopers say the mother of 38-year-old Justin Marshall, who lives at the residence, requested police assistance to help take her son to the hospital. Authorities say Marshall's mother reported that when she attempted to transport her son to the hospital earlier, he jumped out of the vehicle and ran away. The Salisbury man reportedly returned to their residence on Hall Drive.

According to the report, when troopers arrived to the scene, Marshall had fled the residence. Law enforcement says they patrolled the area to look for Marshall, but were unable to locate him. MSP reports that the 38-year-old's mother was instructed to call police when he returned.

Authorities report that shortly before 2;30 Am, Marshall returned to the home and troopers arrived about five minutes later. Once on scene, police say they encountered Marshall in the front yard with a knife.According to the report, without warning, Marshall charged charged at troopers while making verbal threats with an upraised knife in his hand. Police say they gave several verbal commands for Marshall to drop the knife and he continued to charge at them.

At that point, Troopers say they were in fear for their lives and both troopers fired their department-issued  .40 caliber glock handguns. Both troopers then reportedly called for emergency medical service personnel and rendered aid at the scene. There were no other injuries as a result of this shooting.

Justin Marshall is currently under police guard at Peninsula Regional Medical Center.  
criminal charges are pending.

MSP reports that both troopers were placed on routine administrative leave, which is procedure in police involved shootings.

The police involved shooting remains under investigation by MSP Homicide Unit and Internal Affairs Unit.