A Pennsylvania State Trooper is recovering at Hershey Medical Center after being shot multiple times Sunday evening in West Hanover Township, Dauphin County. Karen Hinson and her family were cooking smores in their backyard in the 7600 block of Green Hill Road on Sunday evening when she noticed something wasn’t right at her neighbors house. “Police came and then we heard some gunshots and we heard yelling” said Hinson.
Trooper Michael Trotta initially responded because of reports that David Ricker was drunk and running over mailboxes. They got in a fight and Trotta called for backup. “When backup arrived a situation occurred where the accused had a weapon and our trooper had his weapon drawn and they exchanged fire” said Pennsylvania State Trooper Rob Hicks. Both Trotta and Ricker were hit multiple times. When backup arrived the injured Ricker barricaded himself in his house for roughly 2 hours.
“It definitely could have been worse. The accused did have a handgun on him and at one point in time he did retreat into to the house and he brought out an assault rifle so the situation could have ended a lot differently” said Hicks. Ricker was eventually subdued without any other injuries. Neighbors say his wife and 2 daughters were there when it happened. “Thankfully they’re safe. that’s the main thing. that’s the important thing so it’s just a quiet street. I’m very taken back by all the events that unfolded” said Hinson.
Ricker has been charged with attempted homicide. He’s being held on a $1 million dollar bail. Both men underwent surgery on Sunday night and are in stable condition.