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

By Jonathan Franklin

Published June 9, 2022 at 5:39 PM EDT

Police work near where a man opened fire at a business, killing three people before the suspect and a state trooper were wounded in a shootout, according to authorities, in Smithsburg, Md., Thursday. The Washington County (Md.) Sheriff's Office said in a news release that three victims were found dead at Columbia Machine Inc. and a fourth victim was critically injured.

Updated June 9, 2022 at 9:45 PM ET

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 after 2:30 p.m. at Columbia Machine in Smithsburg, about 75 miles west of Baltimore.

During a news conference Thursday evening, authorities identified the three people killed as Mark Alan Frey, 50; Charles Edward Minnick, Jr., 31 and Joshua Robert Wallace, 30.

The fourth victim, Brandon Chase Michael, 40, was critically injured in the shooting. He was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.

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.

The suspect is no longer a threat to the community. Multiple federal agencies, including the FBI and ATF, have responded to assist local authorities in the investigation into the shooting.

U.S. Rep. David Trone released a statement on Twitter following the shooting, saying his office was in contact with authorities in the area and are actively monitoring the shooting.

"If you're local, please stay away from the area as law enforcement responds," Trone tweeted.

We are actively monitoring the mass shooting in #Smithsburg right now, and our office is in contact with officials on the ground. If you're local, please stay away from the area as law enforcement responds.
— Rep. David Trone (@RepDavidTrone) June 9, 2022