3 dead in shooting at factory in Smithsburg, Maryland

Maryland mass shooting

Law enforcement officials in Maryland say there are multiple victims in yet another mass shooting at a local business.

MARYLAND - Three people were killed in a shooting at a manufacturing facility in Smithsburg, Maryland, according to authorities.

Deputies responded to the shooting at Columbia Machine in the 12900 block of Bikle Road, near Smithsburg High and Middle Schools, around 2:30 p.m. Thursday, the Washington County Sheriff's Office confirmed to FOX 5 DC.

Deputies found four shooting victims, the Sheriff's Office said. Three victims were pronounced dead at the scene and the fourth victim was critically injured but police did not give an update on that victim's condition.

Investigators said the shooter fled before deputies arrived at the scene.

Maryland state troopers, who also responded to the shooting, chased a vehicle with a person they suspected was the shooter. The Sheriff's Office said the suspect and a trooper exchanged gun fire, and both were wounded. The trooper and the suspect have both been taken to a hospital for treatment.

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan said he has been briefed on the shooting. The governor said he was not sure of the condition of the shooter or the trooper.

The ATF and FBI offices in Baltimore posted on Twitter that they are assisting the Washington County Sheriff's Office with the shooting.

The sheriff's office said that there is no longer any threat to the community.

U.S. Rep. David Trone, a Maryland Democrat, tweeted that his office was in contact with authorities in the area and actively monitoring the shooting in Smithsburg. News photographs showed a large law enforcement presence, including emergency vehicles at the scene.

U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin, a Democrat, released a statement on the shooting: "A horrible tragedy has taken place in Smithsburg. My thoughts are with all of the families of the victims today. This cannot keep happening. My thanks go out to local law enforcement, Maryland State Police, the FBI, ATF and others who are working to determine the details of what occurred. I have reached out to local officials to see what other federal resources may be helpful in the wake of this shooting."

Smithsburg, a community of nearly 3,000 people, is located about 75 miles (120 kilometers) northwest of Baltimore not far from the Maryland line with Pennsylvania.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.