April 26, 2021
UPDATE 4/26/2021 @ 5:40 p.m.: Maryland State Police Homicide Unit investigators are continuing an investigation into a trooper involved shooting that occurred in Leonardtown on April 13, 2021.
The involved trooper is identified as Trooper Joseph Azzari, who is assigned to the Leonardtown Barrack as a road patrol trooper. He has been a Maryland state trooper for two years and seven months.
Trooper Azzari remains on administrative leave pending the results of the ongoing investigation. This is procedure in trooper-involved shootings. The Maryland State Police Internal Affairs Division is conducting an administrative investigation. This is also procedure.
Upon completion of the criminal investigation, it will be presented to the St. Mary’s County State’s Attorney’s Office for review.
April 13, 2021
UPDATE 4/13/2021 @ 9:00 p.m.: The Maryland State Police are continuing an investigation into a trooper-involved fatal shooting that occurred this afternoon in St. Mary’s County.
The deceased individual is identified as Peyton Ham, 16, of Leonardtown. He was transported from the scene to MedStar St. Mary’s Hospital where he was pronounced deceased.
The trooper involved is a uniformed patrol trooper assigned to the Leonardtown Barrack. He has been a Maryland state trooper for two years and seven months.
According to the preliminary investigation, just before 1:30 p.m., two separate 911 calls were received at the Maryland State Police Leonardtown Barrack.
April 13, 2021
UPDATE 4/14/2021 @ 4:00 p.m.: Maryland State Police Homicide Unit investigators today continued their investigation into yesterday’s trooper-involved fatal shooting yesterday in St. Mary’s County and have released a photo of the knife and a stock photo of the gun recovered at the scene.
State Police investigators continued to interview individuals, locate additional witness and search for evidence today. Anyone who witnessed the shooting yesterday or who has any information related to this investigation is urged to contact Maryland State Police at the Leonardtown Barrack at 301-475-8955.
Below is a picture of the knife found at the scene and a stock photo of the type of gun believed to have been pointed at the state trooper by the teenager when he confronted the trooper yesterday in a driveway in the 23000-block of Hollywood Road, Leonardtown, Md.
April 13, 2021
On Tuesday, April 13, 2021, at approximately 1:25 p.m., police responded to the 23000 block of Hollywood Road, for the report of a suspious male possibly armed with a firearm.
A Maryland State Police Trooper from the Leonardtown Barrack arrived on the scene and a short time later, the suspect was struck multiple times when the Trooper fired their agency issued firearm.
Police and emergency medical personnel performed CPR before the male suspect was transported to an area hospital with life-threatening injuries.
No other injuries have been reported.
The St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office advised the Hollywood Road between the Maryland State Police Barracks and the SMECO building will have a heavy police presence, and the roadway will be closed.”