Maryland mass shooting - live: Three dead and four wounded at manufacturing facility
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
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Law enforcement give details on shooting
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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.
Horrible tragedy in #Smithsburg. My thoughts are with all of the families of the victims today. This cannot keep happening.
Thankful to the local law enforcement, Maryland State Police, FBI, ATF and any others who are working to determine the details. https://t.co/S4PSGolN0A— Senator Ben Cardin (@SenatorCardin) June 9, 2022
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.
We are actively monitoring the mass shooting in #Smithsburg right now, and our office is in contact with officials on the ground. If you're local, please stay away from the area as law enforcement responds.
— Rep. David Trone (@RepDavidTrone) June 9, 2022
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.”
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
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.
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.
— Senator Chris Van Hollen (@ChrisVanHollen) June 9, 2022
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.”
#BREAKING: Gov Hogan on Smithsburg shooting—he has been briefed on the matter. More ⬇️ @wjz pic.twitter.com/eo2GLZGSTB
— Mike Hellgren (@HellgrenWJZ) June 9, 2022
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
ATF Special Agents are responding to assist our partners in the Washington County Sheriff’s Office with a shooting incident in Smithsburg, MD where there are multiple victims. WCSO will provide updates as they become available: https://t.co/UqP32S6bdU pic.twitter.com/gVCYzW9yow
— ATF Baltimore (@ATFBaltimore) June 9, 2022