Deputies shoot at driver after he rams three vehicles

A man is in the hospital and two Harford County sheriff’s deputies are on leave after a drug investigation turned into a chase, a crash, and a shooting Tuesday afternoon in Abingdon.

What happened: Around 12:23 p.m., deputies were watching a location on Abingdon Road after getting a tip about suspected drug activity in the area. When they tried to pull over a vehicle, the driver refused to stop and rammed three cars, a sheriff’s office vehicle, a Harford County government vehicle, and a civilian’s car.

The shooting: The driver eventually stopped at the intersection of Cotswold Court and Tewkesbury Road, where two deputies fired their weapons. The man ran from the vehicle. Deputies caught him on foot and took him into custody without further incident.

The injuries: Deputies gave the man first aid for minor injuries before an ambulance arrived. He was taken to a nearby hospital. It is not clear whether his injuries came from the shooting or from the crash.

What’s next: The two deputies who fired their weapons have been placed on paid administrative leave, which the sheriff’s office says is standard procedure any time a deputy uses force. Detectives are now leading the investigation, and forensic specialists have collected evidence from the scene. Charges against the man are expected once the investigation is complete.