Trooper Shoots Man Who Pointed Fake Gun At Police

NORTH EAST, Md. (AP) -- A Maryland State trooper shot and wounded a man who is accused of pointing a fake gun at two officers in North East.

It happened about 7 a.m. Tuesday on Pine Cone Drive. Troopers were called because a tenant was being disorderly and they saw a man standing about 30 feet away holding what appeared to be a silver handgun.

Troopers First Class Brian Schweers and Matthew Telep ordered the man to drop the weapon. The man moved backward toward a wooded area and police say he pointed the gun at the troopers.

Schweers fired several shots and hit the man in the legs.

Christopher Thomas, 37, was taken to Christiana Hospital in Delaware.  The gun turned out to be a replica, but was realistic looking.

Schweers and Telep have been placed on routine administrative leave.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)