Three people were killed and four were injured in a shooting at a factory in Smithsburg, Maryland, authorities said. The Washington County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed the death toll after violence erupted at the Columbia Machine on Thursday afternoon. The suspect was shot and wounded during a collision with a Maryland police soldier, the sheriff’s office said. The soldier was shot in the shoulder, but returned fire, hitting the sniper who was being treated. According to the sheriff’s office, the suspect was identified as a 23-year-old Hispanic, who is also an employee at the facility. The suspect used a semi-automatic weapon, however the exact caliber, make and model have not been made known. “The motive for the shooting is still under investigation and there is no active threat to the community,” the sheriff’s office said. “On June 9, 2022, at approximately 2:30 p.m., the Washington County Sheriff’s Office responded to Columbia Machine Inc., 12912 Bikle Road, Smithsburg, MD, for active-duty sniper reports,” the department said.

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“We are committed to addressing your pain with action,” said the senator

Senator Chris Van Hollen said steps must be taken to stop the killings in the wake of a series of mass shootings that plagued the United States last month. “I am devastated by the lives taken today in Smithsburg and by the pain of their loved ones. “Today’s horrific shooting comes as our state and nation have witnessed tragedy upon tragedy,” he said in a statement. “We must act to address the mass shootings and the daily account of armed violence in our communities. “I pledge to address your pain with action,” said Mr Van Hollen. Alisha Rahaman Sarkar10 June 2022 08:30 1654843638

Maryland Senator Responds to ‘Horrible Tragedy’

ICYMI: “Terrible tragedy in Smithsburg. My thoughts are with all the families of the victims today. This can not continue to happen. “I thank the local law enforcement, the Maryland police, the FBI, the ATF and anyone else who works to determine the details,” Sen. Ben Cardin wrote on Twitter. Graeme Massie June 10, 2022 07:47 1654841538

The footage appears to show a Maryland soldier facing gunfire

Footage posted on social media appears to show Maryland soldiers confronting a gunman suspected of killing three people and wounding another at a production plant in Smithsburg. The widely reported 45-second clip, which The Independent could not independently verify, shows many high-speed vehicles being pulled to the side of the road. Bevan Hurley has the story. Graeme Massie 10 June 2022 07:12 1654839931

The Maryland senator thanks law enforcement officials

Maryland Sen. Ben Cardin thanked local law enforcement officials, Maryland State Police, the FBI, the ATF and other authorities who worked to determine the details of Thursday’s mass murder. “A terrible tragedy in Smithsburg. My thoughts are with all the families of the victims today. “This can not continue to happen,” he wrote on Twitter. Alisha Rahaman Sarkar10 June 2022 06:45 1654837811

Support for tougher gun control laws reaches highest level in decade, poll shows

ICYMI: Support for stricter gun control laws in the US is at its highest level in a decade, according to a new poll. The survey found that 59 percent of Americans believe it is more important to control gun violence, compared with 35 percent who want to protect gun rights. Bevan Hurley has the details. Graeme Massie 10 June 2022 06:10 1654837395

The suspect used a semi-automatic weapon for shooting

The suspect in the shootings, a 23-year-old Spanish man, used a semi-automatic weapon to kill the victims, authorities said on Thursday. However, the exact caliber, make and model were not released by the Washington County Sheriff’s Office. “The motive for the shooting is still under investigation and there is no active threat to the community,” the sheriff’s office said. The suspect is in custody at Meritus Medical Center. Alisha Rahaman Sarkar10 June 2022 06:03 1654836200

The victims were all employees of the facility

The people killed in the mass attack were all Columbia Machine employees, police said. The victims were identified as Mark Alan Fry, 50. Charles Edward Minnik, 31; and Joshua Robert Wallace, 30. The fourth person seriously injured has been identified as 42-year-old Brandon Chase Michael, said Washington County Sheriff Doug Malendor. Alisha Rahaman Sarkar10 June 2022 05:43 1654834427

The locals asked to stay away from the area

MP David Trown said on Thursday that his office was “actively monitoring” the mass attacks in Smithsburg. “If you are a local, please stay away from the area as law enforcement responds,” he said. Alisha Rahaman Sarkar10 June 2022 05:13 1654834098

Police confirm three dead and one seriously injured by gunfire

ICYMI: “On June 9, 2022, at approximately 2:30 p.m., the Washington County Sheriff’s Office responded to Columbia Machine Inc., 12912 Bikle Road, Smithsburg, MD, for active gun reports,” the office wrote. of the sheriff on Facebook. . “The units responded immediately and located 4 victims, 3 of whom died on the spot and one was seriously injured. The suspect fled the scene before police arrived. “The description quickly circulated in additional units that responded and the suspect vehicle was confronted by Maryland police in the area of ​​Maplesville Street and Mount Aetna Road, while shots were exchanged between the suspect and the soldier. “Both were injured and taken for medical treatment. Many federal agencies, including the FBI and ATF, have responded to assist in investigating the incident. There is no confirmed active threat to the community in relation to this incident. “ Graeme Massie June 10, 2022 5:08 AM 1654833576

Detained shooting suspect

The shooting suspect, a 23-year-old man from West Virginia, has been taken into custody, police said after a video emerged of the gunman and soldiers exchanging fire. The sheriff’s office said it would not name the suspect until charges were formally filed. “The units responded immediately and located 4 victims, 3 of whom died on the spot and one was seriously injured. The suspect fled the scene before police arrived. “The description quickly circulated in additional units that responded and the suspect vehicle was confronted by Maryland police in the area of ​​Maplesville Street and Mount Aetna Road, while shots were exchanged between the suspect and the soldier. “Both were injured and taken for medical treatment,” authorities said. Alisha Rahaman Sarkar10 June 2022 04:59