HANOVER, Md. – A 27-year-old Baltimore woman was shot and killed outside a senior living facility in Hanover Thursday night after finishing her shift, setting off an hours-long search that ended when police found the suspected gunman dead in nearby woods.
Anne Arundel County Police identified the victim as Asia Natee Virginia Thomas. Officers were called to Morningside House of Friendship in the 7500 block of Old Telegraph Road at about 8:50 p.m. after multiple people reported a shooting.
Thomas was found suffering from gunshot wounds. Officers began emergency medical treatment before Anne Arundel County firefighters took over, but her injuries were fatal and she was pronounced dead at the scene.
Gunman Fled Into Woods After Shooting
Witnesses told police the shooter ran south from the property into a large wooded area.
That sent officers into the woods Thursday night, with canine teams and the department’s Quick Response Team joining the search. Maryland Transportation Authority Police and Maryland Natural Resources Police also provided assistance as authorities expanded the perimeter and searched from the ground and air.
After several hours without finding the suspect, the active search was suspended for the night. Patrol officers remained around Morningside House of Friendship and the surrounding woods.
Detectives continued working the case overnight, and information developed during that investigation led police back into the area after daylight.
Members of the Quick Response Team searched the original area and additional wooded locations near the shooting scene. During that search, police found 25-year-old Deontae Tranell Bryant of Aberdeen dead from what investigators described as a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Police Say Thomas and Bryant Knew Each Other
Investigators believe Thomas had just finished working at Morningside House of Friendship and was sitting outside the building with Bryant when an altercation began.
Police said Bryant shot Thomas during that encounter and then fled into the woods. Their preliminary investigation indicates the two knew each other, although detectives have not disclosed the nature of their relationship or what led to the altercation.
The homicide investigation remains open. Anyone with information can contact Anne Arundel County Police homicide detectives at 410-222-4731 or leave an anonymous tip at 410-222-4700.