What was Joe Louis Esquivel charged with?
Joe Louis Esquivel, age 23, of Hedgesville, West Virginia, has been charged at Columbia Machine, Inc in connection to the shooting on Thursday.
Joe was charged with several first-degree murders, several second-degree murders, reckless engagement, assault, and a number of other offenses, according to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office.
According to investigators, Joe killed three individuals at the manufacturing firm in Smithsburg, Maryland on Thursday. Around 2:30 p.m. Thursday, deputies from the Washington County Sheriff’s Office responded to a gunshot at Columbia Machine in the 12900 block of Bikle Road, near Smithsburg High and Middle Schools.
Whom did Joe Louis Esquivel kill?
Deputies at the location discovered four victims who had been shot, according to the Sheriff’s Office. Three among them died at the scene, while the fourth was severely injured. Three of the victims were shot from inside the manufacturing firm, while the last one was shot outside, according to police.
Charles Edward Minnick Jr., age 31, Mark Alan Frey, age 50, and Joshua Robert Wallace, age 30, were the victims, according to police. Brandon Chase Michael, 42, was the victim who was severely injured.
What happened with Joe Louis Esquivel at the scene?
According to investigators, Joe quickly ran away from that area before cops arrived. Also responding to the shooting, Maryland State Troopers came across Joe’s vehicle near Maplesville Road and Mount Aetna Road and started chasing the suspect. Joe t and an MSP trooper exchanged gunfire, according to the Sheriff’s Office, and both were hurt. Both Joe and the trooper were transferred to a local hospital to be treated. The trooper is believed to make a complete recovery.
Joe and the victims all were Columbia Machine employees. According to authorities, Joe arrived at the business for his regular work shift and worked all day before exiting at about 2:30 p.m. to obtain a gun from his car. He then returned to the building and began fire on the workers. Investigators are still trying to figure out why the shooting happened.
Where is Joe Louis Esquivel now?
A semi-automatic weapon was seized at the scene following both shootings, according to police. At this time, the actual caliber, make, and model have still not been revealed. On Friday, more firearms were discovered at the suspect’s residence in West Virginia. Joe is being held at the Washington County Detention Center without bond.
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