According to local authorities, on Thursday (local time), a man opened fire at a manufacturing facility in rural western Maryland, murdering three employees before engaging in a shootout with a state trooper.

The Washington County Sheriff's Office stated in a press statement that three victims were discovered dead at Columbia Machine Inc in Smithsburg, Maryland, and a fourth victim was in critical condition.

According to the press release, the suspect escaped in a car and was tracked down by Maryland State Police.

According to the sheriff's office, a suspect and a trooper were wounded in an exchange of gunfire, and each was receiving treatment for their injuries. According to Governor Larry Hogan, briefed on the incident, the suspect opened fire on troopers before at least one officer returned fire and wounded the suspect.

"The suspect shot the state trooper in the shoulder, prompting the trooper to return fire," Hogan told reporters.

Sheriff's Office Sergeant Carly Hose stated during a news conference that authorities lacked information on whether the perpetrator and victims were employees of the business where the incident occurred.

Thursday evening (local time), family members of workers at the business gathered at a fire station in downtown Smithsburg in anticipation of news about their loved ones. They declined to speak with the journalist.

Several hours after the shooting, numerous local law enforcement personnel remained at the site. Yellow tape fluttered in the wind in front of the Columbia Machine Inc. plant, which was cordoned off by police.

Maryland Democrat Senator Chris Van Hollen regretted the loss of life in his state so soon after other recent shootings and vowed to take action.

"Our state and country have witnessed tragedy after tragedy, and it must end," he said. We must confront mass shootings and the daily toll of gun violence in our communities.

Smithsburg, a hamlet of over 3000 inhabitants, is situated on the Maryland-Pennsylvania state boundary, approximately 120 kilometers northwest of Baltimore, Maryland.