Three Dead, Gunman in Custody After Mass Shooting at Maryland Machine Plant
20:17 GMT 09.06.2022 (Updated: 22:07 GMT 09.06.2022)
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Authorities with Washington County Sheriff's Office are responding to a mass shooting at Columbia Machine manufacturing plant (12900 block of Bikle Road) in Smithsburg, Maryland. Officials have closed all lanes of Maryland Route 66 near the Mt. Aetna Road area, and advise locals to avoid the immediate area, as it is still a "very active scene."
A WCSO spokesperson has confirmed that at least three individuals are dead and another person remains in critical condition following reports of an active shooter at the Columbia Machine plant.
Police detailed that the suspect was encountered by Maryland State Police soon after fleeing the scene. The alleged gunman reportedly struck a state trooper in their shoulder before fire was returned from responding officers who ultimately disabled and detained the suspect.
"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," read the WCSO release.
Both the state trooper and suspect have been hospitalized with at least one gunshot wound.
Their respective conditions remain unclear.
The Meritus Medical Center in nearby Hagerstown went into lockdown around 3:50 p.m. local time, citing a "community emergency."
"That means no patients, visitors or staff may leave at this time, and we are only allowing patients experiencing a medical emergency," read the memo.
WCSO, Maryland State Police, and special agents with the Baltimore Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (Baltimore-ATF) have been spotted at the scene.
#BREAKING Our team is on the scene of a shooting in Smithsburg, MD. Washington County Sheriff’s office confirms multiple people have been shot. This is a developing story. pic.twitter.com/v2qZmjQmW6
— Ya-Marie Sesay (@YamarieOnTV) June 9, 2022
Rep. David Trone (D-MD), who represents Washington County within Maryland's 6th congressional district, announced that government officials will remain in close contact with law enforcement while monitoring the Smithsburg shooting.
The office of Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) is also keeping track of emerging details.
"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 the senator, who notably suffered a stroke last month.
Authorities confirmed that no children were harmed at the nearby Smithsburg Valley Baptist Church's daycare center--although the facility was placed under lockdown during the active shooter event.
