This is a breaking story. Please check back for updates.
A shooting occurred at a Rite Aid distribution center campus in Harford County, Maryland on Thursday morning.
Sheriff Jeffrey R. Gahler confirmed “multiple wounded and multiple fatalities.” He also confirmed the shooter is in custody and is currently in critical condition at a local hospital. The suspect acted alone with a handgun, according to the sheriff. There is no longer a threat to the area, he said.
A law enforcement official told the Associated Press earlier that three people were killed in the incident.
Susan Henderson, a spokesperson for Rite Aid, confirmed that the shooting took place at their Aberdeen campus, in a support building near the distribution center building.
The Harford County Sheriff’s Office confirmed “multiple victims” in a 9:51 a.m. tweet.
“We can confirm there was a shooting in the area of Spesutia Road and Perryman Road. Multiple victims. The situation is still fluid. Please avoid the area. Media staging area still TBD,” the Sheriff’s Office said.
We can confirm there was a shooting in the area of Spesutia Road and Perryman Road. Multiple victims. The situation is still fluid. Please avoid the area. Media staging area still TBD.
— Harford Sheriff (@Harford_Sheriff) September 20, 2018
As of 11 a.m., officers were working on clearing the building with K9 units and assessing victims, according to local police radio traffic. One officer requested a Medivac. Another noted a location on scene where K9 blood was spilled.
A heavy police presence has been spotted in the area. The FBI and ATF have been assisting local authorities.
Shooting was reported after 9 this morning, @Harford_Sheriff says. A sizable law enforcement response was seen in the area. pic.twitter.com/8dXIOUKdxM
— The Baltimore Sun (@baltimoresun) September 20, 2018
The sheriff’s office tweeted at 9:22 a.m. first reporting the shooting incident and an investigation underway.
“HCSO is investigating the report of shots fired in the area of Spesutia Road and Perryman Road. Please avoid the area,” the tweet said.
HCSO is investigating the report of shots fired in the area of Spesutia Road and Perryman Road. Please avoid the area. PIO is responding.
— Harford Sheriff (@Harford_Sheriff) September 20, 2018
Law enforcement responded to the incident at approximately 9:09 a.m., according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies were dispatched to the reported shooting at 9:09 a.m.
— Harford Sheriff (@Harford_Sheriff) September 20, 2018
The sheriff confirmed that the call initially came in at 9:06 a.m., and police were on scene in less than five minutes.
Aberdeen is located approximately 30 miles northeast of Baltimore. The area of Spesutia and Perryman roads is a business park in which several large warehouses and distribution centers are located.
