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Two deputies killed in lunchtime shooting at a Maryland Panera Bread | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Two Harford County sheriff’s deputies were killed in Maryland on Wednesday by an armed man who entered a Panera Bread restaurant at lunchtime. | |
The gunman was fatally shot by authorities after he shot the two deputies. | |
Harford County Sheriff Jeffrey Gahler announced the deaths of the two members of his department Wednesday afternoon. | Harford County Sheriff Jeffrey Gahler announced the deaths of the two members of his department Wednesday afternoon. |
“They’re both two outstanding deputies who served the citizens of this county for 16 and 30 years respectively,” Gahler said. | “They’re both two outstanding deputies who served the citizens of this county for 16 and 30 years respectively,” Gahler said. |
He did not identify the deputies because he said their extended families had not been notified. | |
The sheriff’s office identified the armed man as David Brian Evans, 67. They said that he was wanted on a warrant from Florida for assaulting a police officer there, as well as on a civil writ issued in Harford County. | |
Gahler said Evans entered a Panera in Abingdon during the busy lunchtime rush Wednesday. At 11:46 a.m., someone called the police to say that a man was behaving suspiciously in the restaurant. | |
When a deputy arrived, Evans shot the deputy and then ran out the door. | When a deputy arrived, Evans shot the deputy and then ran out the door. |
“I think the suspect took that action because he was wearing a police uniform,” Gahler said of the deputy who was shot. “He certainly targeted him.” | “I think the suspect took that action because he was wearing a police uniform,” Gahler said of the deputy who was shot. “He certainly targeted him.” |
People who saw Evans running away pointed authorities in the right direction, sheriff’s office spokeswoman Cristie Kahler said. | |
Gahler said that a deputy found Evans almost immediately, down the hill from the restaurant. Evans then shot that deputy. | |
The next two deputies who arrived then fired at the gunman, fatally wounding him. Both of those deputies have been placed on administrative leave while the department investigates the shooting. | |
Gov. Larry Hogan (R) issued a statement Wednesday night about the deputies’ deaths. | |
“Today’s violence in Abingdon and the deaths of two Harford County sheriff’s deputies is nothing less than absolutely heartbreaking,” he said. “The First Lady and I send our most sincere thoughts and prayers to the families and loved ones of the brave deputies who made the ultimate sacrifice today for the community they selflessly served. | |
“It is my hope that their commitment and dedication to law enforcement and protecting others will be remembered and will forever serve as an inspiration to others,” Hogan said. | |
Gahler said that no one inside the Panera, which was full of lunchtime diners, was hurt. He said authorities interviewed everyone in the restaurant before allowing them to leave. | |
He said that the sheriff’s office has had contact with Evans before, but he did not provide further information. | He said that the sheriff’s office has had contact with Evans before, but he did not provide further information. |
Julie Tate contributed to this report. |