SMITHSBURG, MD—Three people were killed and two injured in a shooting Thursday afternoon, June 9, in Smithsburg.
According to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, officers were called around 2:30 p.m. to Columbia Machine Inc., in the 12900 block of Bikle Road for a report of an active shooter.
Officers and deputies from multiple agencies responded, with officers from the Smithsburg Police Department arriving on the scene first and locating an injured victim outside the business.
As deputies arrived on the scene, three additional victims, all of whom were deceased, were located inside the business.
According to officials, it was quickly discovered that the suspect had fled prior to law enforcement’s arrival.
Units on scene relayed the suspect and suspect vehicle description to responding units and the suspect vehicle was encountered by Maryland State Police in the area of Mapleville Road and Mount Aetna Road.
The suspect and the Troopers exchanged gunfire and the suspect and one trooper were injured. Both survived and were transported for medical treatment.
At this time, the Sheriff’s Office can confirm that all of the victims and the suspect were current employees of Columbia Machine, Inc.
The deceased victims include:
Mark Alan Frey, a 50-year-old white male;
Charles Edward Minnick Jr., a 31-year-old white male;
Joshua Robert Wallace, a 30-year-old white male.
The injured victim was identified as Brandon Chase Michael, a 42-year-old white male.
According to the Maryland State Police spokesperson, the trooper injured in the exchange of gunfire with the suspect received non-life-threatening injuries and has been treated and released from Meritus Medical Center.
The suspect remains in law enforcement custody at Meritus Medical Center and was identified as a 23-year-old Hispanic male who resides in West Virginia. His identity will not be released until charging documents are filed.
The weapon used at both scenes was a semi-automatic handgun. The exact caliber, make and model are also not being released at this time.
The motive for the shooting is still under investigation and there remains no active threat to the community.
Multiple Federal Agencies, including the FBI and ATF, responded to assist in the investigation into the incident.
