(Elkton, MD) – Maryland State Police homicide investigators are continuing their investigation into the fatal shooting of a woman who entered a Cecil County home uninvited late last night and was fatally wounded after she apparently struggled with the homeowner who was holding her at gunpoint.
The deceased woman is identified as Jessica M. Hollada, 29, who had an address of the unit-block of Stony Chase Drive, Elkton, Md., but investigators learned she had recently been staying in the unit-block of Chestnut Drive, in a residence next door to where the shooting occurred. Her body has been taken to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Baltimore for an autopsy.
At 12:45 a.m. today, Maryland State Police Homicide Unit investigators were contacted by the Cecil County Sheriff’s Office and requested to respond to the scene of a fatal shooting in the unit-block of Chestnut Drive, in Elkton. Cecil County deputies had responded to the report of a shooting at the residence at 11:00 p.m. yesterday.
The preliminary investigation indicates that shortly before 11:00 p.m. yesterday, Hollada knocked at the front door of the home where Chris Wilkins, 50, and his wife, Lisa Wilkins, 50, live with their four children. The members of the Wilkins family told police they did not know Hollada and had never seen her before.
The door was answered by the Wilkins’ 12-year-old son. Hollada reportedly pushed past the youth and entered the home uninvited, saying, “I can’t do this anymore.”
Startled, the youth ran upstairs to notify his parents. Mr. Wilkins retrieved his loaded .12 gauge shotgun and both parents came to the first floor, but could not find Hollada.
Mr. Wilkins reportedly went to the basement and found Hollada there, where he confronted her at gunpoint and ordered her to sit in a chair. Mr. Wilkins directed his wife to retrieve a handgun from a locked safe and she joined him in the basement. According to the investigation, Mr. Wilkins took the handgun from his wife and gave the shotgun to her, instructing his wife to hold it on the woman as he searched the basement for other persons.
According to Mrs. Wilkins, Hollada got off the chair, grabbed the barrel of the shotgun and put it in her mouth, while asking if she was going to shoot her. A struggle apparently ensued as Mrs. Wilkins tried to regain control of the weapon and the shotgun discharged, fatally wounding Hollada.
The family immediately contacted 911 and Cecil County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded, as did EMS personnel. Hollada was pronounced dead at the scene.
After obtaining a search warrant for the home where the shooting occurred, Maryland State Police homicide investigators and crime scene technicians have spent the day processing the scene. Each member of the Wilkins family was interviewed at the North East Barracks and has been allowed to leave.
Investigators are also interviewing individuals who saw Hollada last night. Several of them reported she was acting ‘strangely’ and they were concerned for her welfare.
A motive for Hollada’s actions last night has not been identified at this time.
Investigators learned Hollada had been recently staying in the basement of her aunt’s home, which is next door to where the shooting occurred. Her other address was about one-quarter mile away.
No charges have been placed in connection with this shooting. State Police homicide investigators are in contact with the Cecil County State’s Attorney’s Office and the investigative facts of this case will be presented for review and consultation regarding whether or not any charges will be filed.
The investigation is continuing.
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8 comments:
Mental illness plus guns = Another needless death.
May be a really tragic event, but kudos to Mr. Wilkins for defending his family. This is our primary function.
10:40 AM, Better than the story going "Mentaly insane women breaks into home, kills UNARMED family with steak knife"
The gun didn't have $hit to do with the fact that some nut forced her way into someones home. It just had a better than usual ending. (you must be a pelosi liberal wannabe)
5:40 AM, That's right, turn someone's comments into a political smearing. I'm a conservative, own my own firearms and proud of it, but attitudes like yours do not help the republican cause. Also, I didn't read anything about a steak knife found on the woman. I'm glad you don't have anyone in your family with a mental illness...hmmm
628...who is 540 am? I think we know who has the mental illness in your family.........
8:27 PM...I hardly think a typo is indicative of a mental illness. However, there has been mental illness in my family, ... my Father-in-law died with it a few years ago and I have an autistic child. Hence the reason I don't see the humor in what was written at 5:45 PM. I'll pray for you tonight.
If more homeowners would become armed we would hear of more of these situations. I applaud people who protect themselves and rid society of dangerous people. I'm sure the police appreciated it too. God only knows what that woman would have done! Too bad this had to happen at all, particularly in someone's home and w/children around. That is the sad part.
1005.....well what 545 wrote was true..it is sad that that lady died but put yourself in their shoes...someone forces their way into your house...you know what nevermind i feel like im talking to a five year old...theres no point really, your a joke.
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