By Jordan Frias
Boston Herald
SPRINGFIELD, Mass.— A courageous state trooper and his faithful K-9 partner dodged death and subdued a Connecticut man who opened fire on them after fleeing the scene of multiple hit-and-run crashes in Springfield, authorities say.
Mohammed Fofanah Jr., 35, of Hartford, who police say is in the country illegally and has been previously charged with a felony in Connecticut, was wanted for hitting three cars on Interstate 91 south about 12:15 a.m. Saturday when he allegedly fired a single shot from his .357 Magnum at trooper David Stucenski and his canine partner, Frankie, after ditching his damaged vehicle and refusing to surrender.
Neither Stucenski nor the dog was hit, police say.
After being subdued by Frankie, who jarred the weapon from his hand, Fofanah was placed under arrest and rushed by ambulance to nearby Baystate Medical Center to receive treatment for bite wounds, state police said.Both Stucenski and his companion were praised for how they handled what could have been a deadly situation.
“Police dogs have a very dangerous mission and they’re extremely brave animals and partners to their handlers. Frankie proved that once again last night,” state police spokesman David Procopio told the Herald. “We are grateful that neither he nor trooper Stucenski were injured and we are very proud of the excellent work they did in taking a dangerous suspect, who was in this country illegally, no less, off the street.”
Fofanah — who was wearing an electronic monitoring ankle bracelet at the time of his arrest — is from Sierra Leone and had been charged with a previous felony in Connecticut, Procopio said. He may now be subject to deportation. Upon his release from the hospital, Fofanah was transported to sheriff’s lockup and held without bail, Procopio said.
Fofanah will be arraigned in Springfield District Court tomorrow on charges of attempted murder, multiple counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, leaving the scene of a motor vehicle accident, discharging a firearm and interfering with a police dog.
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