Police: Drowning Victim Was Chased, Went Into Water To Flee

SALISBURY, Md. (AP) -- Salisbury Police say a man who drowned in the Wicomico River entered the water even though he couldn't swim because he was being chased.

Officers said in a news release on Tuesday that 24-year-old Lamar Byron Sheppard of Salisbury was being chased by three people Sunday night after an apparent drug transaction. Authorities say Sheppard ran toward the boat ramp and got into the water.

Detectives say the people who were chasing Sheppard threw a hose to him, but he continued to struggle. Officers say a good Samaritan went into the river and pulled him onto the dock with help from the three people who chased him. Police say those three people then ran away.

Police say Sheppard was taken to Peninsula Regional Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.

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