Two women are dead and a man is in custody after a shooting at a senior living facility in Capitol Heights, Maryland.
The shooting happened at about 9:15 a.m. Friday at National Church Residences Gateway Village, on Suffolk Avenue near Capitol Heights Elementary School, the Prince George’s County police said.
At about 10:30, they said two people were dead and one suspect was in custody; just before 11 a.m., they said there was no further threat to the community.
At an early afternoon news conference, Capitol Heights Police Chief Mark Cummings said officers found one victim in a corridor and another in the office.
Prince George’s County Deputy Chief Lakina Webster said the suspect was apprehended without incident. Officials didn’t provide any information on who the shooter or the victims were, or whether they lived or worked in the building.
National Church Residences said in a statement Friday afternoon that the two victims were “team members.”
Cummings said 89 residents had been displaced, and added, “We’re working on getting them back today.”
He added that charges were still pending, and that he was “not aware of any issues” at the building.
A resident who identified himself only as Donald told The Associated Press the shooter is his friend and lived in the complex. He said the man was fed up with how residents have been treated.
“He told me, ‘Don, nobody is standing up for these seniors. I can’t take it no more. I’ve got to do something.’ And obviously what he chose to do is wrong, but he did something,” the resident told reporters.
“I know what set him off — the way they treat the seniors in Gateway Village!” Donald added.
The shooter prepared to surrender even before police arrived, Donald said.
“I saw him after the shooting. He had come up to his place. When I stuck my head out after the fire alarm, he was laying prostrate on the floor, arms spread out and the weapon pushed six feet (two meters) in front of him,” Donald said.
“He told me to tell the police that he was no threat, that he was ready and waiting for them. He knew he was going away. He told me that. I called the police to get them on the phone, to tell them what was going on,” added Donald.
The school had been on lockdown, and the police had asked residents in the area to shelter in place.
The police said that anyone with family at the facility should gather outside the firehouse at 6061 Old Central Ave.
Update: 10:55 am. Scene secure at National Church Residences – Gateway Village. One male suspect – he is in custody. Two confirmed victims. Both victims are deceased. No ongoing threat to community. https://t.co/OqrPPm6BLL
— PGPDNEWS (@PGPDNews) October 8, 2021
Below is a map of the area.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
