TROOPERS INVESTIGATING EARLY MORNING SHOOTING AND ROBBERY IN CARROLL CO.

(TANEYTOWN, MD) – Three people are in custody, two more are being sought, and a victim is recovering from a non-life threatening gunshot wound as Maryland State Police continue their investigation into an early morning robbery and shooting in northwestern Carroll County.

Criminal charges are pending against three male suspects who are currently in State Police custody at the Westminster Barrack. State Police are continuing to search for two additional suspects. They are described as two light complected African American males. One is about 5’7” tall, with black, buzzed-cut hair, who was wearing a black jacket and black pants. The other at-large suspect is described as wearing a dark bandana across his face, a black jacket, and a black hood over his head.

The victims are identified as Alan J. Kent, 26, of the 3900-block of Old Taneytown Road, Taneytown, Md., and Samantha L. Stanley, 19, of the unit block of Zephyr Court, Taneytown. Kent sustained a gunshot wound to the leg and was flown by Maryland State Police helicopter to the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center, where he is being treated for what are believed to be non-life threatening injuries. Stanley was not physically injured in the incident.

Just before 2:30 a.m. today, troopers from the Westminster Barrack responded to a call for a reported armed robbery and shooting at a home in the 3900-block of Old Taneytown Road, Taneytown, Md. When they arrived, they found Kent, who had been wounded by a gunshot and from being struck in the back of the head by what may have been an expandable baton. The suspects had fled the scene.

The preliminary investigation indicates Stanley was visiting at Kent’s residence when a male suspect arrived at the home about 2:00 a.m. and called Kent outside. Stanley said she heard yelling and a gunshot, before three suspects entered the house and a fourth stayed outside with Kent.
One of the suspects pointed a handgun at her and demanded information about what was in the home. She said the man shot Kent’s dog when it came toward the suspect. The dog has been transported to a veterinarian for treatment.

After removing a suitcase from the house, the victims said all four suspects left in a light colored Ford Explorer. State Police at Westminster issued a broadcast for the suspects. Carroll County Sheriff’s Office deputies and officers from the Taneytown Police Department responded to the area to assist with the search.

A Taneytown police officer searching the area spotted a light-colored Ford Explorer on Courier Court in Taneytown. When he stopped it, two African American males fled on foot and were not located. The officer took two other males into custody. Police observed what appears to be blood on the vehicle and said an expandable baton was visible inside the truck. The vehicle was towed to the Westminster Barrack where it will be processed for evidence after a search warrant is obtained.

Maryland State Police investigators from the Westminster Barrack are continuing the investigation. Troopers from the State Apprehension Team are assisting with the search for the remaining suspects. Deputies and Taneytown officers are also searching the area.