Two Deputies Killed in Maryland Shooting

A woman calling into C4’s show Thursday said she was in the Panera Bread in Abingdon when a man fatally shot a sheriff’s deputy in the head and “pandemonium” unfolded.

Shots were fired when the deputy entered the Panera; the deputy was wounded.

The suspect was killed in the exchange of gunfire not far from the shopping center where the restaurant was located, Harford County Sheriff Jeffrey Gahler said.

Both wounded deputies were taken to area hospitals, but ultimately succumbed to their injuries.

A Maryland sheriff has identified the gunman as 67-year-old David Evans. The deputies, described as outstanding officers who served their communities faithfully, were 30-year and 16-year veterans of the force. Gahler said although the immediate families have been notified, there are other family members in need of notification before the names are released.

A loaded handgun was recovered from Evans, Gahler said.

Jeremy Evans says his mother alerted authorities and left the restaurant where the first shooting occurred before a deputy arrived.

A Maryland sheriff is identifying two deputies slain by a gunman who was killed in a shootout. Deputies caught up with him and shots were exchanged, the sheriff said. “I didn’t really know what was going on”, she said. “We are not looking at anyone else”. She said that Evans appeared to be homeless and that staff regularly took care of him and gave him food.

He said Evans did not want to be apprehended and knew he would be because of a warrant from Florida.

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan said Wednesday on Facebook that he was heartbroken by the shooting. “I just have to applaud the police department because when we went outside, the place was surrounded, the streets were surrounded, police were everywhere”. He is ordering flags be flown at half-staff in honor of the two officers killed on duty.

Harford County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Kyle Andersen said Wednesday that the deputies were involved in a shooting at a shopping center in Abingdon, about 20 miles northeast of Baltimore. “It is my hope that their commitment and dedication to law enforcement and protecting others will be remembered and will forever serve as an inspiration to others”, he said.

Other law enforcement established a perimeter, he said, and Evans was found nearby in a vehicle.

“Our thoughts and actions now are directed towards the victims and their families”, the chain said in a statement.

In Bel Air, long-time county resident Ron Riggs walked past the Sheriff’s Office headquarters, which was draped in black bunting.

Baltimore Sun Media Group reporters Yvonne Wenger, Ian Duncan, David Anderson, Erika Butler, Colin Campbell, Tim Prudente, Kevin Recto and Bryna Zumer contributed to this article.