Three dead, one critically injured in Maryland mass shooting

Officials said Thursday that three people have been killed and one other critically injured following a shooting in the Maryland town of Smithsburg.

The Washington County Sheriff’s Office said in a post on Facebook that officials had responded to reports of an active shooter at Columbia Machine Inc., which provides “mold manufacturing, parts & repair and full consignment mold programs,” according to its website.

“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,” the sheriff’s office said. 

The sheriff’s office noted that there was not a confirmed active threat at that time. 

Details about the victims or suspects were not immediately available. 

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R) said during a press conference earlier that day that he had been briefed on the shooting. 

The development comes against the backdrop of several other high-profile shootings that have taken place over the past few weeks in New York, Texas, Oklahoma and elsewhere.

—Updated at a 6:12 p.m.