3 people died in a shooting at a Maryland manufacturing facility, officials say

Washington,SANA-Three people died and three people were injured after a shooter opened fire at a manufacturing facility in Smithsburg, Md., officials say. The male suspect is one of the three people injured.

According to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, the shooting took place just at Columbia Machine in Smithsburg, about 75 miles west of Baltimore.

Sheriff Doug Mullendore told reporters Thursday that the suspect, who was only identified as a 23-year-old male, used a semi-automatic handgun in the shooting. Authorities have not yet released the suspect’s identity due to him not being charged yet.

“At this time I can confirm all the victims and the suspect were current employees of the Columbia Machine Inc.,” Mullendore said.

Following the shooting, the suspect fled the area but was quickly found by Maryland State Police a few roads down from the scene, according to officials. A state trooper and the suspect shot at each other, leaving both injured and taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.

Nisreen Othman / Amer Dawa