Three people are believed to have been shot dead after a gunman opened fire at a manufacturing plant.
The shooter targeted the Columbia Machine, Inc facility in Maryland, Washington, this afternoon at around 2.30pm.
Washington County Sheriff's Office said there are "multiple fatalities" before the suspect was shot and injured during a confrontation with a Maryland State Police trooper.
It is understood the shooter was hospitalised, but their condition is unknown.
The police officer is also believed to have received a minor injury and one other victim remains in a critical condition.
A statement from Washington County Sheriff's Office Facebook said: “On June 9, 2022, at approximately 2.30 PM, deputies from the Washington County Sheriff’s Office responded to the 12900 block of Bikle Road, Smithsburg, MD, in reference to a shooting.
“At this time the Sheriff’s Office can confirm that there are multiple victims and the suspect is no longer a threat to the community. This is a rapidly evolving incident and we will release information as we are able."
Police confirmed the suspect fled the scene before they arrived to the scene, before a description was released to responding units who encountered the suspect vehicle in the area near Maplesville Road and Mount Aetna Road.
Gunshots were exchanged between the suspect and a Trooper.
US Senator for Maryland Chris Van Hollen, a Democrat, tweeted: "I’m closely monitoring the shooting in Smithsburg, and my office has reached out to local officials to learn more and to offer our support."
Maryland governor Larry Hogan spoke to reporters and said that “my understanding is that there are potentially three people killed.”
Agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives are responding to assist local officials at the scene.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms tweeted: "ATF Special Agents are responding to assist our partners in the Washington County Sheriff’s Office with a shooting incident in Smithsburg, MD where there are multiple victims. WCSO will provide updates as they become available."
There have been 250 mass shootings reported in 2022 so far, with 19 mass shootings in June, according to The Washington Post.
