Gaithersburg Man Kills Estranged Wife, Her Teen Neighbor: Sheriff

GAITHERSBURG, MD — A Gaithersburg man shot and killed his estranged wife and her 18-year-old neighbor in Carroll County before returning home and taking his own life, authorities said.

The shooting took place at the wife's Mount Airy home around 2:50 p.m. Thursday.

According to the Carroll County Sheriff's Office, Joseph Zujkowski, 35, showed up at 7910 Bennett Branch Rd. and opened fired on Heather Zujkowski, 36, with a rifle for unknown reasons. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Authorities say Joseph and Heather Zujkowski were separated and a protective order against him expired in January.

Three of their children, ages ranging from five to 12, were home at the time of the shooting. They were not harmed in the incident, according to the sheriff's office.

The other shooting victim has been identified as Noah Homayouni, an 18-year-old student at South Carroll High School. Homayouni, who was Heather Zujkowski's neighbor, was shot in a nearby yard, the sheriff's office said. The teen died before he could be airlifted to a hospital.

It is not immediately known why Homayouni was shot.

Joseph Zujkowski fled the scene, but left his cellphone behind, according to authorities. Montgomery County police then responded to his residence in Gaithersburg.

When they arrived, Joseph Zujkowski took his own life.

The shooting remains under investigation. Anyone with additional information should email or call Detective Owens at aowens@carrollcountymd.gov or 410-386-2571.