Two Harford County sheriff's deputies shot in Abingdon Wednesday afternoon have died, police confirmed.
Police say the incident happened at the Panera Bread restaurant in the same shopping center as Wegmans grocery store. Officers responded to a call at the Abingdon Panera around 11:46 a.m.
One deputy went into the restaurant and encountered the suspect, identified as 68-year-old David Brian Evans. Police say Evans fired at the deputy, hitting him, then ran toward the nearby Park View at Box Hill Senior Living Apartments.
Sheriff says at least one shot was fired inside the Panera. Deputy was injured pic.twitter.com/W5WlYLcmgq
— Katrina Bush (@katrinafromABC2) February 10, 2016
A second deputy tried to make contact with Evans and was also shot, according to the sheriff's office.
Two Harford County sheriff's deputies at the scene then opened fire. Evans was pronounced dead at the scene. Police recovered a loaded handgun.
The officers who fired their weapons have been placed on administrative leave as part of standard sheriff's office protocol.
At an evening news conference, Gahler said there were at least two warrants for Evans' arrest at the time of the deadly shootings.
The deputies were 16 and 30-year veterans.
The sheriff's office confirmed the shooting on Twitter. The incident is still under investigation.
Harford Sheriff's Office still processing shooting scene outside Park View at BoxHill Senior Living Apts Abingdon pic.twitter.com/lrbmsWofK0
— Trang Do (@TrangfromABC2) February 10, 2016
Deputies have been involved in a shooting in the area of the Abingdon Wegmans. PIO enroute to the scene. Will advise staging area when avail
— Harford Sheriff (@Harford_Sheriff) February 10, 2016
After reports of the shooting emerged, Wegmans Food Markets took to Twitter to reassure customers and employees' loved ones and clarify that the shooting did not happen at that business.
Our hearts go out to those involved in shooting on property near our Abingdon MD store. Family of customers/employees: it was not @Wegmans.
— Wegmans Food Markets (@Wegmans) February 10, 2016
Area police departments, emergency responders and the governor took to social media with messages of solidarity and sympathy for the sheriff's office.
Our thoughts are with our partners @Harford_Sheriff following the shooting of two deputies earlier today.^EA
— BACO Public Safety (@BACOPoliceFire) February 10, 2016
Our thoughts are with you all @Harford_Sheriff.
— Howard Co Fire & EMS (@HCDFRS) February 10, 2016
I am heartbroken to learn of the violence that took place today in Abingdon involving Deputies from @Harford_Sheriff pic.twitter.com/fdE1j4rg8P
— Larry Hogan (@LarryHogan) February 10, 2016
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