The suspect’s name is being withheld until charging documents are served.
Hagerstown, Md. (KM) – A few more details about Thursday’s deadly mass shooting in Smithsburg have been released.
The Washington County Sheriff’s Office says the suspect who worked at Columbia Machine on Bikle Road arrived for his normal shift, and worked throughout the day.
Before police and fire and rescue were called at 2:30 PM, the suspect left the building and returned with a weapon from his vehicle. He went to the break room and fired at his fellow employees. Three were killed and one was critically injured.
The deceased are identified as Mark Alan Frey, 50, of Hagerstown; Charles Edward Minnick, 31, of Smithsburg; and Joshua Robert Wallace, 30, of Hagerstown. The injured employee is identified as Brandon Chase Michael, 42. He was transported to Meritus Medical Center.
The suspect, at this time only identified as a 23-year-old Hispanic man who lives in West Virginia, then fled in his vehicle, a bronze Mitsubishi Eclipse.
The suspect encountered State Police at Mapleville Road and Mount Aetna Road. Gunshots were exchanged. The suspect and a trooper were hit, and both were taken to Meritus Medical Center. The trooper was treated and released, but the suspect remains hospitalized under police guard.
The Washington County Sheriff’s Office says with the assistance of the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office and the AFT, a search warrant was served at the suspect’s home in West Virginia where additional firearms were located.
The investigation continues.
By Kevin McManus