Accused Maryland Shooter Identified, Charged With Murder: Police

SMITHSBURG, MD — Authorities have identified the gunman accused of killing three people and critically injuring another when he opened fire at Columbia Machine in Smithsburg on Thursday.

Joe Louis Esquivel, 23, of Hedgesville, West Virginia, is facing more than two dozen charges including three counts each of first- and second-degree murder, according to the Washington County Sheriff's Office.

Esquivel, an employee at Columbia Machine, worked his normal shift Friday before leaving the building around 2:30 p.m. According to authorities, Esquivel went to his car and retrieved a weapon before returning to the building. Esquivel then proceeded to the break room, where he opened fire, police said.

Esquivel then left the scene in his vehicle, a bronze Mitsubishi Eclipse, which was quickly encountered by Maryland State Police. A Maryland State Police trooper and Esquivel were also injured in an exchange of gunfire, authorities said.

RELATED: 3 Killed In Smithsburg Shooting Named, Accused Gunman Was Co-Worker

The Washington County sheriff identified those killed in the shooting as Mark Alan Frey, 50, and Joshua Robert Wallace, 30, both of Hagerstown; and Charles Edward Minnick Jr., 31, of Smithsburg. Sheriff Doug Mullendore said the wounded victim was Brandon Chase Michael, 42.

Authorities have not identified the injured trooper, state police said in a news release. He is a 25-year veteran of the department and is assigned to the Criminal Enforcement Division Western Region.

The trooper was taken to Meritus Medical Center in Hagerstown, where he was treated and released for a gunshot wound. Esquivel was also treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

Esquivel currently is being held at the Washington County Detention Center.

Smithsburg Mayor Donnie Souders told the Washington Post he hoped the recent gun violence, not only in his community but across the country, will prompt lawmakers in D.C. to pass new legislation on guns.

"I think we are at a point where we need to balance those liberties versus the safety," he told the paper.