Walmart Bathroom Scene of Assault on Trooper: Police

Four people were charged in a road rage case that turned into a group assault on a state trooper in a Walmart bathroom, according to Maryland State Police.

Before 1 p.m. on Thursday, Trooper Horner of the Westminster barrack responded to a road rage call in the 200 block of East Ridgeville Boulevard in Mt. Airy, police reported.

A woman said she pulled into a parking lot to look for damage after people in another vehicle had thrown something at her car, according to WBAL.

In the parking lot, the people in the other vehicle—driver 19-year-old Steven Conners and his girlfriend—made “threatening gestures” at her, so she maced them, the TV station reported.

Police said afterward that it was unclear exactly what catalyzed the incident.

“Based on conflicting accounts of the events that lead to this complaint, Trooper Horner was unable to establish a clear aggressor in the road rage complaint,” Maryland State Police said in a statement.

A citizen started filming the encounter in the parking lot, and 42-year-old Traci Conners attacked the citizen, police reported. Traci Conners was the mother of Steven Conners, according to WBAL.

The trooper tried to break up the attack, and 17-year-old Jacob Conners assaulted him, then ran into the nearby Walmart, where the officer chased him and found the teen attempting to flush a knife and set of brass knuckles down the toilet, police reported. The weapons were recovered, according to the report.

After the arrest, Traci and Steven Conners arrived in the bathroom, where they attacked the trooper, the report said. A handcuffed Jacob Conners also kicked the trooper in the head, police said.

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When backup arrived, police said 23-year-old Horner, who is a four-year veteran of Maryland State Police, was taken to Carroll County General Hospital, and four suspects were taken into custody.

The trooper was expected to recover, according to WBAL.

Police say the following people were charged in the incident:

• Traci Conners, 42, of the 1400 block of Key Highway in Frederick, was charged with second-degree assault on police and disorderly conduct.
• Jacob Conners, 17, of the 13000 block of West Annapolis Court in Mt. Airy, was charged as an adult with second-degree assault on a police officer, second-degree assault and carrying a concealed dangerous weapon.
• Steven Conners, 19, of the 13000 block of West Annapolis Court in Mt. Airy, was charged with second-degree assault on a police officer, second-degree assault and hindering.
• Emily Anthony, 19, of the1300 block of Manor Drive in Mt. Airy, was charged with disorderly conduct.

Maryland State Police said the incident remains under investigation.