SMITHSBURG, Md. –
A man opened fire on a business in West Maryland on Thursday and killed three people before the suspect and a state agent were injured in a shooting, authorities said.
The Washington County Sheriff’s Office said in a press release that three victims were found dead at Columbia Machine Inc. in Smithsburg and a fourth victim was seriously injured. The suspect fled in a vehicle and was located by Maryland State Police, according to the press release.
The suspect and an officer were injured in an exchange of gunfire, the sheriff’s office said. Both were being treated for their injuries.
Authorities had no information on whether the suspect and the victims were employees of the company where the shooting took place, according to the sergeant in the sheriff’s office. Carly Hose said at a news conference.
Photographs of the news showed a large presence of law enforcement, including emergency vehicles, at the scene.
Smithsburg, a community of nearly 3,000 people, is located just west of Camp David’s presidential retreat and about 120 kilometers (75 miles) northwest of Baltimore.