Female Shooter Dies After Killing 3 At Rite-Aid Distribution Center In Maryland
PERRYMAN, Md. (WJZ) — A woman opened fire on co-workers Thursday morning killing three people and injuring three others before turning the gun on herself in Harford County, Maryland, just south of Aberdeen. Police said the lone suspect in the Rite Aid Distribution Center workplace shooting was a temporary employee.
Multiple police agencies are on scene at Spesutia Rd. and Perryman Rd. hours after the report was initially made to police around 9:06 a.m. The shooting was in the facility's delivery building, police said.
The Harford County Sheriff's Office reports there is no more threat to the community, however police remain on scene for the investigation.
The 26-year-old female suspect, who police wouldn't identify but said had a Baltimore County address, started shooting people outside before entering the building.
Police said that they are currently scouring the massive 210,000 square-foot building for more victims, survivors and evidence.
The suspect died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
What We Know:
- Three people were killed, multiple others injured in a workplace shooting in Harford County.
- The shooting happened at the Rite Aid Distribution Center near Aberdeen.
- The call came in to police at 9:06 a.m.
- The lone shooter is in custody and is in critical condition at a local hospital.
- Five people are receiving treatment at hospitals in Baltimore and Delaware.
- A family reunification center is set up at the Level Volunteer Fire House, 3633 Level Village Rd. in Havre de Grace.
- The Harford County Information Hotline in the EOC (410-838-5800) has been activated for family & loved ones.
Sheriff Jeffrey Gahler said the suspect used an handgun in the shooting and had several magazines on her. She used a 9mm glock that was registered and owned by her.
It took police only five minutes to respond to the scene and he credited their training.
No shots were fire by police.
A Rite Aid spokesperson released the following statement about the shooting:
"We are deeply saddened by the events that transpired this morning at the Liberty support facility, which is part of Rite Aid's Perryman Distribution Center in Aberdeen, Md. Local authorities have confirmed that there are multiple fatalities and casualties.
We are continuing to work closely with authorities as they conduct their investigation. The facility has been closed and we are assessing when it will be reopened. Grief counselors will be made available to our associates and will remain available as long as they are needed. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all those involved in this tragic incident, as well as their loved ones."
Susan Henderson, spokeswoman for the drugstore chain Rite Aid, said the shooting happened on the campus of a company distribution center in Aberdeen. She described it as a support facility adjacent to a larger building. More than 1,000 people work at that warehouse.
The warehouse area is located in Perryman, a neighborhood off Route 40, in a warehouse complex.
Victims are being taken to Johns Hopkins Bayview in Baltimore and Christiana Hospital in Delaware for treatment.
A Johns Hopkins spokesperson said four adults were being treated at their hospital for gunshot wounds. He also did not confirm if one of the patients was the shooter.
He said two of the victims are in stable condition and two others are "seriously" injured.
The spokesman did say that all four people have undergone surgery due to their injuries.
A Johns Hopkins spokesperson said four adults were being treated at their hospital for gunshot wounds. He also did not confirm if one of the patients was the shooter.
He said two of the victims are in stable condition and two others are "seriously" injured.
The spokesman did say that all four people have undergone surgery due to their injuries.
Once the hospital receives confirmation that the families have been informed they will share more information about the victims' conditions.
Another person was taken to Christiana Hospital and is in serious condition.
Colleen Hendrickson lives and works nearby, and she thought it was a normal day while heading to catch the bus and head to work, but then someone warned her there was an active shooting nearby.
"It's very scary when it's just right there on your doorstep, because you can see a billion news reports about shooters, about emergency instances, and it still doesn't make it real to you," Hendrickson said. "I think it's real for a lot of people right now, and there's a lot of people still affected by this, [police] are still looking, and it's been a few hours at this point, or about an hour and a half. It's just insane and it's still sinking in. It's still crazy."
Motorists should expect traffic and delays in the area.
Flares are set up across Spesutia Road, part of the road is closed and crime tape is marking the closure.
"It's been absolutely crazy. Everything is cut off, all the roads are cut off. They're not even supposed to let cars down here, and they're just using any larger vehicles, they're letting through," Hendrickson said. "They're telling some people to divert through the graveyard, somewhat. But there's so many cars. I think I counted at least ambulances, and that's just when I was counting.
The ATF and FBI are on scene investigating along with local authorities.
Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan said he is closely monitoring the situation.
"We are closely monitoring the horrific shooting," Gov. Larry Hogan tweeted. "Our prayers are with all those impacted, including our first responders. The State stands ready to offer any support."
This is the third mass shooting in Maryland this year.
The first was in March at Great Mills High School and the second was at The Capital Gazette. In October of 2017, Harford County had another workplace shooting in Edgewood, about 10 miles away from this location.
