Howard County Police Department
NEWS RELEASE: Police continue to investigate shooting at Mall in Columbia
Howard County police are continuing to investigate a shooting at the Mall in Columbia that resulted in the deaths of two store employees and the shooter.
Police received a call into 911 at 11:15 a.m. about a shooting at the mall. Officers responded in less than two minutes and found two employees at the Zumiez store on the upper level deceased. They were identified as Brianna Benlolo, 21, of College Park, and Tyler Johnson, 25, of Mt. Airy. Investigators have confirmed that Johnson had recently moved from Ellicott City to Mt. Airy.
Investigators have tentatively identified the shooter and are following up on investigative leads. It is believed he died from a self-inflicted gun shot wound. A shotgun and ammunition were found at the scene. No additional information can be released at this time about the suspect or the weapon. The motive in the shooting is still unknown.
A search of the shooter's bag found inside the store revealed two crude devices that appeared to be an attempt at making explosives using fireworks. Both were disabled. Police will conduct a thorough search of the mall using K-9 units through the night, which is protocol in this type of scenario. The mall will remain closed tomorrow. People may retrieve vehicles from the mall parking lot this evening. Anyone with an emergency situation related to property left inside the mall should call the mall's Public Safety Office at 410-730-3302.
Police also have interviewed a victim who was shot in the foot during the incident. She advised that she was on the lower level of the mall below the Zumiez store when she received the injury. Detectives are still investigating how that injury occurred.
Throughout the investigation, Howard County Police have been assisted by numerous local, state and federal law enforcement agencies.
Police expect to hold a media briefing Sunday morning, time unconfirmed. Follow @HCPDNews on Twitter for details.
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
6 comments:
Completely unavoidable tragedy.
"Unavoidable," maybe? It's hard to say. Research has shown that the "new" way of thinking has created a culture that can't handle situations.
Children are not allowed to grow up in a "normal" manner and experience risk and learn to handle it. Learning to handle it is the key.
Take for instance this focus on "bullying." While it's not acceptable, all the focus is on the one doing the taunting in the form of some punishment. The victim is left, thinking this protection is the way it should be. Then they get out in the real world and can't handle real life unpleasant situations. This most likely leads to substance abuse and substance induced psychosis'.
Political correctness has run amok and contributes to these incidences. PC has ran too far and not enough focus on the Thick Skin approach to all the unpleasantness that exists in the world.
It could have been easily avoided if people armed themselves.
The police response however was avoidable 11:56.
Talk about overkill... They went to war when they already knew the situation had ended based on witnesses 911 calls alone. Then immediate reports from responding officers. They STILL called in
at least 2 mobile command centers. 100 plus battle ready troops in full armor, full auto battle weapons, gas masks, etc. to investigate a jealous, suicidal love triangle.
I don't think they realize how stupid they actually look. More importantly, they are showing their hand to terrorists that can now plan based on the response.
Boys with their tax payer funded toys.
What a joke.
What a complete waste of taxpayer money.
another crime of passion to be construed as a cultural failure--
11:56 you are so right.
Had someone been there with CCP, then it may have turned out differently.
A friend of mine of many years ago would be so saddened by the by the condition of which Columbia Maryland is in. His name: Jamse (Jim) Rouse.
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