Maryland mass shooting - live: Three dead and four wounded at manufacturing facility

Graeme Massie
·7-min read

Three people were killed and four wounded after a shooting at a manufacturing facility in Smithsburg, Maryland, authorities say.

The Washington County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the death toll after violence broke out at Columbia Machine on Thursday afternoon.

The male suspect was shot and injured during a confrontation with a Maryland State Police trooper, the sheriff’s office said.

The trooper was shot in the shoulder but returned fire, hitting the shooter who was hospitalised.

“On June 9, 2022, at approximately 2:30 PM, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office responded to Columbia Machine Inc., 12912 Bikle Road, Smithsburg, MD, for reports of an active shooter,” the department stated.

“Units immediately responded and located 4 victims, 3 of which were deceased at the scene and one who was critically injured. The suspect fled the scene prior to Law Enforcement’s arrival.

“The description was quickly released to additional responding units and the suspect vehicle was encountered by Maryland State Police in the area of Maplesville Road and Mount Aetna Road, gunshots were exchanged between the suspect and the Trooper. Both were injured and transported for medical treatment. “

Smithsburg is located around 75 miles west of Baltimore.

Key Points

  • Multiple people injured in mass shooting at Maryland business

  • Law enforcement give details on shooting

  • ATF Baltimore responding to Maryland shooting

Maryland senator thanks law enforcement officials

06:45 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Maryland senator Ben Cardin thanked local law enforcement officials, the Maryland state police, FBI, ATF and other authorities who were working to determine the details of Thursday’s mass shooting.

“Horrible tragedy in Smithsburg. My thoughts are with all of the families of the victims today. This cannot keep happening,” he wrote on Twitter.

Support for stricter gun control laws hits highest level in a decade, poll says

06:10 , Graeme Massie

ICYMI: Support for tougher gun control laws in the US is at its highest level in a decade, according to a new poll.

The study found 59 per cent of Americans think it is more important to control gun violence, compared to 35 per cent who want to protect gun rights.

Bevan Hurley has the details.

Support for stricter gun control laws hits highest level in a decade; poll

Suspect used semi-automatic handgun for shooting

06:03 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

The shooting suspect, a 23-year-old Hispanic male, used a semi-automatic handgun to kill the victims, authorities said on Thursday.

However, the exact calibre, make and model were not released by the Washington County sheriff’s office.

“The motive for the shooting is still under investigation and there remains no active threat to the community,” the sheriff’s office said.

The suspect is in law enforcement custody at Meritus Medical Centre.

Victims were all employees of the facility

05:43 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

The people killed in the mass shooting were all employees at Columbia Machine, police said.

The victims have been identified as Mark Alan Fry, 50; Charles Edward Minnick, 31; and Joshua Robert Wallace, 30.

The fourth person who was critically injured has been identified as 42-year-old Brandon Chase Michael, Washington County sheriff Doug Mullendore said.

Locals asked to stay away from the area

05:13 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Congressman David Trone on Thursday said his office is “actively monitoring” the mass shooing in Smithsburg.

“If you’re local, please stay away from the area as law enforcement responds,” he said.

Police confirm three dead and one critically wounded in shooting

05:08 , Graeme Massie

ICYMI: “On June 9, 2022, at approximately 2:30 PM, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office responded to Columbia Machine Inc., 12912 Bikle Road, Smithsburg, MD, for reports of an active shooter,” the sheriff’s office wrote on Facebook.

“Units immediately responded and located 4 victims, 3 of which were deceased at the scene and one who was critically injured. The suspect fled the scene prior to Law Enforcement’s arrival.

“The description was quickly released to additional responding units and the suspect vehicle was encountered by Maryland State Police in the area of Maplesville Road and Mount Aetna Road, gunshots were exchanged between the suspect and the Trooper.

“Both were injured and transported for medical treatment. Multiple Federal Agencies, including the FBI and ATF, have responded to assist in the investigation into the incident. There is no confirmed active threat to the community in relation to this incident. “

Shooting suspect in custody

04:59 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

The shooting suspect, a 23-year-old man from West Virginia, has been taken in custody, police said after a video emerged of the gunman and troopers exchanging fire.

The sheriff’s office said they won’t name the suspect until he is officially charged.

“Units immediately responded and located 4 victims, 3 of which were deceased at the scene and one who was critically injured. The suspect fled the scene prior to Law Enforcement’s arrival.

“The description was quickly released to additional responding units and the suspect vehicle was encountered by Maryland State Police in the area of Maplesville Road and Mount Aetna Road, gunshots were exchanged between the suspect and the Trooper. Both were injured and transported for medical treatment,” authorities said.

Maryland mass shooting: Everything we know

04:03 , Graeme Massie

ICYMI: Three people have reportedly been shot dead at the Columbia Machine manufacturing plant in Smithsburg, Maryland, on Thursday.

The Washington County Sheriff’s Office said it was called to Bikle Road, Smithsburg, at around 2.30pm on Wednesday to reports of a shooting.

Bevan Hurley has the story.

Maryland mass shooting: Everything we know

Last fatal shooting in the town was a decade ago

03:33 , Graeme Massie

David Creamer, 69, is a member of Smithburg’s volunteer fire department and has lived in town since 1988. He saw alerts related to the shooting go out shortly before 3 pm

Creamer said the last fatal shooting that he can recall in Smithsburg was roughly a decade ago, he told the Associated Press.

“This stuff doesn’t happen here,” Creamer said. “Everybody pretty knows everybody. It’s a family atmosphere. We watch out for each other.”

(AP)
(AP)

Law enforcement give details on shooting

03:05 , Graeme Massie

ICYMI: “On June 9, 2022, at approximately 2.30 PM, deputies from the Washington County Sheriff’s Office responded to the 12900 block of Bikle Road, Smithsburg, MD, in reference to a shooting. At this time the Sheriff’s Office can confirm that there are multiple victims and the suspect is no longer a threat to the community. This is a rapidly evolving incident and we will release information as we are able,” the Washington County Sheriff’s Office posted on Facebook.

Pictures from scene of Maryland shooting

02:35 , Graeme Massie

Police stand near where a man opened fire at a business, killing three people before the suspect and a state trooper were wounded in a shootout, according to authorities, in Smithsburg, Md., Thursday, June 9, 2022. The Washington County (Md.) Sheriff's Office said in a news release that three victims were found dead at Columbia Machine Inc. and a fourth victim was critically injured. (AP)
Tactical police work near where a man opened fire at a business, killing three people before the suspect and a state trooper were wounded in a shootout, according to authorities, in Smithsburg, Md., Thursday, June 9, 2022. (AP)
Tactical police work near where a man opened fire at a business, killing three people before the suspect and a state trooper were wounded in a shootout, according to authorities, in Smithsburg, Md., Thursday, June 9, 2022. (AP)

Multiple people injured in mass shooting at Maryland business

02:01 , Graeme Massie

ICYMI: Three people were killed in a mass shooting at a manufacturing business in Maryland, according to authorities.

The Washington County Sheriff’s Office said that the shooting unfolded at around 2.30pm on Thursday afternoon at the Columbia Machine in Smithsburg, which is located around 75 miles from the state capital of Baltimore.

Rachel Sharp has the story.

Multiple people injured in mass shooting at Maryland business

US Senator comments on shooting

22:05 , Graeme Massie

“I’m closely monitoring the shooting in Smithsburg, and my office has reached out to local officials to learn more and to offer our support,” tweeted US Senator Chris Van Hollen, who is a Democrat.

Maryland governor says three killed in shooting

22:02 , Graeme Massie

Larry Hogan spoke to reporters and said that “my understanding is that there are potentially three people killed.”

Shooting took place at Columbia Machine

21:54 , Graeme Massie

According to their website Columbia Machine is a company that offers “complete equipment lines to customers in over 100 countries.”

ATF Baltimore responding to Maryland shooting

21:50 , Graeme Massie

  • Up next
  • Up next
  • Up next
  • Up next

Latest stories