Three people were killed and one was injured Thursday at a Maryland production plant by a colleague who was also wounded in an exchange of gunfire with a government soldier, authorities said. Deputies from the Washington County Sheriff’s Office responded at the Columbia Machine factory in Smithsburg around 2:30 p.m. amid reports of an active sniper. “Officers from the Smithsburg Police Department were the first to arrive at the scene and located an injured victim outside the operation,” the sheriff’s office said. “As the deputies arrived at the scene, 3 additional victims, all of whom were dead, were located inside the operation.” The dead were identified Thursday night as Mark Alan Frey, 50. Charles Edward Minnick Jr., 31; and 30-year-old Joshua Robert Wallace. The injured victim was identified as 42-year-old Brandon Chase Michael, authorities said. CANCELLATION MARYLAND HALSEY CONCERT AFTER SERIOUS FLOOD WONDERFUL FANS IN THE AMPHITHEAT Washington County Sheriff’s Office Patrol. Many were injured in the shooting on Thursday. (Washington County, Maryland Sheriff’s Office) The suspect was identified only as a 23-year-old man from West Virginia. He fled before authorities arrived, but was located near Maryland police. An exchange of gunfire ensued and the gunman and a soldier were injured, authorities said. Both were taken to hospital for medical treatment. Investigators have identified an unspecified semi-automatic weapon believed to have been used in both scenes of the crime. Сolumbia Machine produces molds and production equipment, according to its website. Fox News arrived at the factory. A sheriff’s office official said investigators had not determined the suspect’s motive or whether he was working at the factory. Following the shooting, a local hospital was also locked at 15:50 local time and removed a few hours later. The suspect remains hospitalized. U.S. spokesman David Trone, D-Md., Said he was monitoring the situation. “Our office is in contact with officials on the ground. If you are a local, please stay away from the area as law enforcement responds,” he wrote on Twitter. U.S. Sen. Chris Van Hollen, also a Democrat in Maryland, said he was watching the incident and contacted local officials for support. Agents from the Baltimore, Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Bureau and the FBI responded to the scene. CLICK HERE TO RECEIVE THE FOX NEWS APPLICATION
