2 sheriff deputies killed in Maryland shoot-out
Two sheriff’s deputies were killed after a shoot-out with a suspect in Abingdon, Maryland. Police say the suspect, who was not identified, was killed as well.
The Harford County sheriff confirmed that a gunman opened fire and injured one of the deputies at a Panera Bread restaurant on Wednesday morning. He then fled and exchanged gunfire with another deputy at another location. The deputies was injured in the exchange, while the suspect was killed, authorities said initialluy.
Maryland Governor Larry Hogan has released a statement about the shooting.
The First Lady & I send our prayers to the families & loved ones of the brave deputies who lost their lives today. pic.twitter.com/cR61VvJdHj
— Larry Hogan (@LarryHogan) February 10, 2016
The Baltimore Sun reports that Sheriff Jeffrey Gahler believes the officers were targeted, saying "the suspect took that action because he was in a police uniform. He certainly targeting them."
Two Harford sheriff's deputies killed in Abingdon shooting. https://t.co/ytxhZ32q1T#breaking
— The Baltimore Sun (@baltimoresun) February 10, 2016
Both deputies died of their injuries on Wednesday afternoon. They were the first deputies shot and killed in the line of duty since 1899, according to the Baltimore Sun.
.@BaltimorePolice stand honor guard at Shock Trauma where wounded Harford Co Sheriff's Deputy was taken earlier pic.twitter.com/I8SUfXWp3D
— Keith Daniels Fox45 (@KeithDFox45) February 10, 2016
#breaking Suspect David Bryant Evans 67 years old... Had two outstanding warrants . 1 in Florida and 1 in Harford County #wjz@cbsbaltimore
— Mitch Friedmann (@mafriedtv) February 10, 2016
Harford Sheriff's Office still processing shooting scene outside Park View at BoxHill Senior Living Apts Abingdon pic.twitter.com/lrbmsWofK0
— Trang Do (@TrangfromABC2) February 10, 2016
Speaking to the press at 2:30 p.m local time, Sheriff Jeffrey Gahler said he could not provide any details about the deputies’ condition, or the identity of the suspect, but that he did not believe there was a threat to the community. The gunman was apparently alone, he said.
They have a pretty big area taped off around a couple restaurants and their lots pic.twitter.com/1ISq3rx46m
— Katrina Bush (@katrinafromABC2) February 10, 2016
About 15 minutes passed between the first shots and the last, Sheriff Gahler said. The second deputy was able to catch up with the suspect thanks to eyewitnesses who provided “good information” on where the man had fled.
Deputies have been involved in a shooting in the area of the Abingdon Wegmans. PIO enroute to the scene. Will advise staging area when avail
— Harford Sheriff (@Harford_Sheriff) February 10, 2016
Lynn Faulkner, a resident of nearby Fallston who was inside the Panera at the time of the shooting, told the Baltimore Sun that the suspect looked “homeless, disheveled,” and that she had seen him at the store before. It looked like the deputy was talking to the man, and then the shooting started, Faulkner said.
Abingdon is a community in Harford County, 25 miles (40 km) northeast of Baltimore.
