Smithsburg shooting updates — Gunfire at Columbia Machine leaves multiple dead as locals told to stay away in Maryland | The Sun
A SHOOTING at a factory has left at least three people dead.
Authorities rushed to the scene on Thursday afternoon at Columbia Machine in Smithsburg, Maryland after reports of an active shooter.
Governor Larry Hogan confirmed that three people had died and police said that the suspect is no longer a threat to the community.
Representative David Trone has advised locals to stay away from the area.
The Democrat took to Twitter to tell his followers that he and his team are "monitoring the mass shooting."
Read our Smithsburg shooting live blog for the latest news and updates…
- Amanda Castro
Suspect information
During another press conference, officers revealed that the suspect was 23 year old Hispanic male.
Officers also said that they will not be releasing the suspect's name until he is charged.
- Amanda Castro
'I never thought something like this would happen'
On Twitter, people are reacting to the shooting at Columbia Machine in Smithsburg.
One user wrote: "I never thought something like this would happen in such a small town."
- Amanda Castro
Suspect in custody
According to a Washington County Sheriff's Office official, Maryland State Police at Mount Aetna apprehended the perpetrator in the Columbia Smithsburg mass shooting, per NBC.
Sgt. Carly Hose was unable to provide any further information on the suspect other than to indicate that he or she was in custody and that there was no danger to the public.
The incident is being handled by Maryland State Police along Mount Aetna and Mapleville roads, according to Hose. The scene on Bikle Road is under the control of the sheriff's office.
- Amanda Castro
Another press conference soon
According to the Maryland Washington County Sherriff's Office's Facebook, there will be another press conference "with updated information" at 8.30pm.
- Amanda Castro
'This incident just happened'
Sgt. Carly Hose said during the press conference that "this is an ongoing investigation" and that there were many questions that she could not yet answer.
"This incident just happened at 2.30 this afternoon. Our investigators are working diligently to get those questions answered, but do not have them for release currently."
- Amanda Castro
FBI and ATF assisting in investigation
During the press conference to address the shooting, Sgt. Carly Hose said that "multiple federal agencies including the FBI and ATF have responded" to assist in the investigation of the shooting.
- Amanda Castro
Watch the press conference
Smithsburg police give an update after the shooting at Columbia Machine leaves three dead.
- Amanda Castro
Senator is 'closely monitoring' shooting
Senator Chris Van Hollen of Maryland says he is investigating the shooting and has spoken with local officials.
- Amanda Castro
Meritus lifts lockdown
Michelle Lovelace, a spokesperson for Meritus Medical Center, said the facility east of Hagerstown is already taking new patients, according to Herald-Mail Media.
"As of 6:15, at the recommendation of local law enforcement, Meritus Medical Center has lifted its lockdown," she wrote in an email.
The hospital had gone into lockdown at 3.50pm due to a "community emergency."
- Amanda Castro
Information on the suspect
Washington County Sheriff's Office's spokesman, Sgt. Carly Hose, said she wasn't able to divulge the suspect's name or age, but that he is male.
She didn't know what kind of gun the suspect was carrying, according to NBC.
- Amanda Castro
Former president of Bikle Manufacturing speaks
Joanie Gerber, the former president of Bikle Manufacturing before it was sold in 2019, expressed her sadness at the news of the shooting at what is now Columbia Manufacturing, per Herald-Mail Media.
Her family had held the company since 1971 until selling it to Columbia in Vancouver, Washington. On its website, Columbia Smithsburg is listed as the company's name in Washington County.
"I'm deeply saddened and my heart goes out to the employees and the families," Gerber said.
Gerber claimed she didn't know anything about the incident other than what news media had reported.
"I'm praying for all involved. I'm just terribly saddened by the whole thing. It's terrible. I'm just sickened," she said.
- Jennifer Korn
Biden says everyday places are 'battlefields'
President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden recently visited Uvalde, Texas, to pay their respects to the victims of the shooting at Robb Elementary.
"Standing there in that small town like so many other communities across America, I couldn't help but think there are too many other schools, too many other everyday places, that have become killing fields – battlefields – here in America," Biden said.
"For God's sake, how much more carnage are we willing to accept?"
- Amanda Castro
How many killed?
Authorities say three individuals were killed and four others were injured when someone opened fire inside a manufacturing business in western Maryland on Thursday afternoon, according to NBC.
- Amanda Castro
Where was the shooting?
The shooting occurred at the Columbia Machine manufacturing plant.
Mold manufacture, spares and maintenance, and entire consignment mold programs are all available from Columbia Machine, per their website.
- Amanda Castro
Suspect taken into custody by Maryland police
According to a Washington County Sheriff's Office official, Maryland State Police at Mount Aetna apprehended the perpetrator in the Columbia Smithsburg mass shooting, per Herald-Mail Media.
Sgt. Carly Hose was unable to provide any further information on the suspect other than to indicate that he or she was in custody and that there was no danger to the public.
- Amanda Castro
Media release from Washington County Sherrif's Office
The Washington County Sherrif's Office in Maryland posted a release with information on the shooting on their Facebook page.
They wrote in part: "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.
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."
- Jennifer Korn
Joe Biden calls for assault weapon regulations
In a recent tweet, President Joe Biden argued for an assault weapons ban or raising the age to purchase the weapons.
"In Texas, you can be 18-years-old and buy an assault weapon – even though you can’t buy a pistol until you’re 21," he wrote.
"If we can’t ban assault weapons as we should, we must at least raise the age to buy assault weapons to 21."
- Jennifer Korn
Authorities on the scene
Several authorities are on the scene after a gunman reportedly killed at least three and left multiple people injured.
- Jennifer Korn
Gov Larry Hogan briefed
Maryland Gov Larry Hogan reportedly says he has been briefed on the deadly shooting in Smithburg.
- Jennifer Korn
Three fatalities
Authorities have confirmed that three people died after a shooting in Smithsburg, Maryland.
Another victim is reportedly in critical condition.
- Jennifer Korn
250 mass shootings
So far in 2022, there have been at least 250 mass shootings reported.
So far in June, there have been 19 mass shootings, according to The Washington Post.
- Jennifer Korn
ATF agents assist
ATF Baltimore issued a tweet saying it is assisting the Washington County Sheriff's Office with the shooting incident.
- Jennifer Korn
Eyewitness video
Eyewitness video of the incident is circulating social media.
The witness recorded alleged gunshots as police responded to the scene.
- Jennifer Korn
Where is Smithsburg?
Smithsburg is located approximately 75 miles west of Baltimore, Maryland.
- Jennifer Korn
Full statement from Sheriff's Office
According to the Washington County Sheriff's Office, the shooting occurred at about 2.30pm Thursday.
"This is a rapidly evolving incident and we will release information as we are able," the office stated.
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