Thursday, January 4, 2001 Older Editions

Teen allegedly shoots flare at cop in 100 mph chase

By Rebecca Piro

South Carolina State Police are charging Andover teenager Eric Roszkowski with the attempted murder of a police officer after he fired a flare gun at a state trooper Sunday.

Trooper W.M. Clemmons attempted to pull over Roszkowski, 17, of Noel Road, for speeding on Interstate-95 in South Carolina when Roszkowski accelerated and sped away for no apparent reason, said Lance Corporal J.A. Love.

The 15-mile chase reached speeds of up to 120 miles per hour, and at one point Roszkowski allegedly turned around and fired a flare gun straight at Clemmons' vehicle, he said.

"It hit square in the middle of his windshield," said Love. "It's basically a ball of fire that he shot out of the gun. It would cause death if it were to hit somebody."

Flare guns are often used in emergency rescue operations, and are not usually considered illegal weapons, said Love. "You can buy them at marine stores in coastal areas," he said. "It's basically an emergency tool."

Clemmons was not injured when the flames bounced off his windshield, and the chase continued until Roszkowski went off the highway and crashed his vehicle

"He had some minor injuries, but he is still at the hospital under guard and being observed. There may be some question of his psychological stability right now," Love said.

Police are charging Roszkowski with speeding, assault and battery, driving with an invalid license, failure to stop for an emergency vehicle and intent to kill a police officer. Roszkowski could be facing up to 20 years in prison with the attempted murder charge alone, said Love.

No one answered a call to the family's home.

Police have not set a date for arraignment, and will not until Roszkowski's doctors decide whether he needs a mental evaluation, Love added.

Roszkowski does not have a previous criminal history, and there were no warrants against him from any other state, said Love. Why the teenager ran from a routine stop is still a mystery to police.

"They have no clue. He was simply being stopped for a speeding violation. It's not really uncommon that someone may be scared, but that wouldn't be any reason to shoot at a police officer."