update 2:55pm edt:
the suspect has been captured according to breaking reporting from wusa9
See below for original diary + updates:
Two DC area shootings are being reported on right now. The shootings took place in Montgomery County.
One at Westfields Mall (aka Montgomery Mall to the old timers) and one at an Aspen Hill shopping center in the parking lot in front of a Giant grocery store.
Three people were shot at Montgomery Mall and their condition is unknown.
A woman was shot and killed at the Giant. A reporter said that she had “passed away”, but she actually died from her gun shot wounds. She was deliberately killed by a man with a gun. She didn’t really just “pass away”. Someone killed her with a gun just a few hours ago.
The police are currently operating on the assumption that these shootings are related and they have a person of interest and that man is still at large.
Schools are on lockdown and so on. We all know the drill, SADLY.
How many times do we need to go through this insanity before we act to reduce gun violence and increase gun safety?
Update on Victims:
One woman and one man have both died.
The other man shot at Montgomery Mall is in “grave” condition according to police.
The other victim at Montgomery Mall, another woman, has non life threatening injuries.
These people and their families do not deserve this sadness.
You can follow the breaking story at this link: Live Coverage of Mall Shootings
Update: The suspect is said to be a Department of Homeland Security Police officer.
More coverage from the local news outlets:
WUSA - CBS Local
Fox News Coverage of Shooting
The suspect is still at large.
People in the DC area — particularly in Montgomery County — should be alert.
Police have been instructed to wear their body armor both in uniform and off duty.
Headline changed to reflect the following Update: One of the Montgomery Mall victims has died of his gunshot wounds.
Update: The third shooting yesterday is currently being more firmly linked to the suspect. It was his wife who was shot and killed at High Point high school. Another person was injured in that shooting yesterday as well. The suspect’s wife had just recently gotten a restraining order against him for abusing their children which resulted in him losing his law enforcement gun and badge.
Washington Post Report on Shooter and Shootings