Aberdeen Man Fatally Shoots Himself After Killing Woman: Police

ABERDEEN, MD — A 27-year-old Baltimore woman was fatally shot outside a Hanover senior living community after finishing her shift at a senior care center Thursday night.

The man suspected of killing her - an Aberdeen resident - was found dead in a nearby wooded area the next day, according to Anne Arundel County Police.

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Asia Natee Virginia Thomas had finished working at Morningside House of Friendship, located in the 7500 block of Old Telegraph Road, and was sitting outside the building with Deontae Tranell Bryant, 25, of Aberdeen, police said.

Police said the two got into a fight and Bryant shot Thomas before running into a nearby large wooded area. Investigators said Thomas and Bryant knew each other, although police have not disclosed the nature of their relationship or what led to the altercation.

Multiple people called police around 8:50 p.m. Sept. 11 to report the shooting.

Officers found Thomas with gunshot wounds and provided emergency medical care until the Anne Arundel County Fire Department arrived. Because of the severity of her injuries, Thomas was pronounced dead at the scene.

Witnesses told police the shooter had run into the woods south of Morningside House of Friendship.

Police surrounded the wooded area and called in the department's Quick Response Team and canine teams to search for Bryant. The Maryland Transportation Authority Police Department and Maryland Natural Resources Police also assisted, with officers expanding the search area and using ground and air units to look for him.

After searching for several hours without finding Bryant, police temporarily ended the search. Western District officers remained near Morningside House of Friendship and the surrounding woods throughout the night.

Evidence collected overnight led homicide detectives to call the Quick Response Team back the following day for another search during daylight hours. Officers searched the original area, as well as additional wooded locations near the shooting scene.

During that search, officers found Bryant dead from what police said was a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The investigation continues.

Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call the Anne Arundel County Police Homicide Unit at 410-222-4731. Anonymous tips can be made by calling the Anne Arundel County Police Tip Line at 410-222-4700.