A Tuesday morning shooting in Middle River with an automatic weapon that left two people wounded has sparked concerns and a town hall meeting hosted by the area’s state delegate.
Del. Ric Metzgar’s meeting on Thursday will address the “drive by double shooting using an automatic weapon” in a “quiet and peaceful community,” according to a news release from the Baltimore County Republican’s office. It will be held at the Victory Villa Baptist Church in Middle River.
Metzgar said Wednesday he wants people to have information about the ongoing investigation and to “calm the nerves of the residents” following the shooting.
Baltimore County Police have said a 43-year-old man and 42-year-old woman were wounded in the shooting, which took place around 10 a.m. Tuesday near the intersection of Compass Road and Martin Boulevard. Both victims were taken to the hospital.
Police believe this was a “targeted incident,” the department said Wednesday. At least one “automatic weapon” was used, based on cellphone video provided to detectives, the agency said.
“At this time, detectives are still trying to determine all the circumstances surrounding yesterday’s shooting,” spokesman Trae Corbin said in an email. “Once more information is available, we will provide it.”
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A video spreading on social media, verified by the police department, shows a view of the intersection with a street sign that says “Compass Road.” The footage shows an SUV crashed into a telephone pole and what sounds like automatic gunfire coming from a different vehicle.
The intersection includes a CVS, Walgreens, Dollar General and community center. Metzgar noted it’s about a block and a half away from a senior center and close to where families live.
Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski Jr. called the shooting “shocking and disturbing,” and said the police department is aggressively investigating to bring the perpetrator to justice.
“Keeping our neighborhoods and communities safe is a top priority for my administration and acts of violence will not be tolerated in Baltimore County,” Olszewski said.
Baltimore County Councilman David Marks, a Perry Hall Republican, said he’d heard concerns from constituents about the shooting and video on social media. He called it “absolutely alarming” given the “firepower” apparently used, as well as the timing of the incident in “broad daylight.”
“There’s a pervasive sense that we have to do more to improve public safety,” Marks said. “We simply need more police officers on the street, and we need to expand our neighborhood watch programs.”
Police asked residents to share information or video footage with the department through its online IWATCH program at egov.baltimorecountymd.gov/iwatch or through Metro Crime Stoppers at 1-866-7LOCKUP.