Wounded 11-year-old still recovering after Charles County shooting

The home of Gregory and Vickie Pickeral, who were shot to death Friday night. Their 11-year-old grandson was injured in the incident but is expected to survive. The suspect, the boy's father, took his own life.(WTOP/Dick Uliano )
Scene of fatal shooting in Charles County
The home of Gregory and Vickie Pickeral, who were shot to death Friday night. Their 11-year-old grandson was injured in the incident but is expected to survive. The suspect, the boy’s father, took his own life. (WTOP/Dick Uliano)

An 11-year-old boy is recovering after last week’s rampage in Charles County, Maryland, that left three dead.

Late Friday night, 42-year-old Mark Hughes drove to a Bensville Road home in Pomfret and fatally shot his in-laws, 54-year-old Vickie Danita Pickeral and 53-year-old Gregory Bruce Pickeral.

Moments after the shooting, the county sheriff’s office said some relatives arrived at the home but were also met with gunfire. Hughes’ 11-year-old son was inside the vehicle and wounded, relatives said.

The boy escaped and was flown to a hospital, but is expected to be OK. Another occupant of the vehicle was not shot but was still injured.

Hughes fled the scene and crashed his car several miles away at Port Tobacco and Durham Church roads. When officers arrived, he had already shot and killed himself.

Authorities continue to investigate what led to the shooting. Anyone with information can call 301-609-6501

Melissa Howell

Melissa Howell joined WTOP Radio in March 2018 and is excited to cover stories that matter across D.C., as well as in Maryland and Virginia. 

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