There are multiple victims reported in a mass shooting that took place Thursday afternoon at the Columbia Machine manufacturing plant in the western Maryland town of Smithsburg, with unconfirmed reports of fatalities. The Washington County Sheriff’s Office reported the shooter is “no longer a threat.”
UPDATE at end.
WCSO statement posted to Facebook:
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.
Screen image from near scene of police shootout with suspect.
A video taken near the scene contains the sound of gunfire (and a lot of cussing.)
#Smithsburg
Eyewitness video of gun battle between suspect and law enforcement via FB📷: Harleigh Rae https://t.co/GRAeBKjrer pic.twitter.com/VHx7eIFCpo
— Shane B. Murphy (@shanermurph) June 9, 2022
And another video from the witness says the shooter was detained and probably shot. The witness says the suspect was driving a car and crashed into a police car blocking the road. The suspect opened fire on police who returned fire. The gunfire exchange can be heard in the above video.
#Smithsburg
Eyewitness video from FB via https://t.co/X8FHn5pzWc pic.twitter.com/lN4Vmuy90I— Shane B. Murphy (@shanermurph) June 9, 2022
Overview:
Current scene outside #Smithsburg, MD business where police (via Facebook) confirm multiple victims and say suspect “is no longer a threat to community.” #WashingtonCounty #Maryland pic.twitter.com/a2dy2fApjB
— Kelly Anne Beile (@KellyAnneTV) June 9, 2022
UPDATE: Maryland Governor Larry Hogan said three people were killed, a State Trooper was shot in the shoulder and was able to return fire on the suspect. Hogan said he does not know the status of the suspect.
#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
WJLA-TV’s Brad Bell reports the suspect was killed in the gun battle with the State Trooper, “Early info from sources: 3 people shot and killed at Columbia Machine Inc in Smithburg MD. A @MDSP trooper found the shooter nearby. Source says suspect shot trooper in shoulder. Trooper shot and killed gunman.”
#BREAKING Early info from sources: 3 people shot and killed at Columbia Machine Inc in Smithburg MD. A @MDSP trooper found the shooter nearby. Source says suspect shot trooper in shoulder. Trooper shot and killed gunman.
— Brad Bell (@Brad7News) June 9, 2022