BALTIMORE – A man accused of killing his parents also killed a man and woman who just so happened to stop by a convenience store on a Sunday morning, police say.
Police say 27-year-old Joshua Green shot three people at a Royal Farms convenience store along Middleborough Road in Essex just before 7:00 a.m. Sunday morning. Two victims were pronounced dead on the scene and one is recovering at a local hospital.
According to detectives, the suspect left the store and returned home where he set his apartment on fire. Police later found him outside his apartment complex dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Detectives traveled to the home of the suspect’s parents where they discovered the two deceased; both individuals appeared to have been shot.
Detectives say all three incidents are connected and they are not searching for any additional suspects in connection to these three incidents.
“As to why this occurred, we have no idea yet,” Baltimore County Police Col. Andre Davis said at a press conference. “Our homicide detectives are tirelessly investigating a motive, but it appears that the shooter acted alone.”
Police Chief Melissa Hyatt told media members there are “more questions than answers” about the “horrific and sickening event which changed the lives of many people.”
“For now, we know that four innocent people lost their lives and one person sustained serious injuries,” said Hyatt.
Watch the press conference in full:
The suspect’s sister released a statement, saying her brother “struggled with his mental health for many years.”
Statement from woman whose brother is accused of shooting and killing four people, including their parents. At the end a message to the victims and their families. pic.twitter.com/tHfpfRipli
— Alexa Ashwell (@AlexaAshwell) March 29, 2021
Local report from WJZ:
Timeline of Sunday’s Events from Police
At 6:43 a.m., on March 28, 27-year-old Joshua Green shot and killed 62-year-old Alpha Smith in the parking lot of Royal Farms located in the 1600 block of Middleborough Road, 21221 while she sat in her parked car.
He then walked inside the store and killed 43-year-old Silvesta Daye. A 22-year-old man was also shot and survived. He was transported to a local hospital and is in stable condition.
The suspect then drove home to the 1400 block of Shadetree Road, 21221 and fatally shot himself.
At 3:21 p.m., detectives found 58-year-old Douglas Green and 62-year-old Olivia Green deceased inside their home in the 14000 block of Manor Road, 21013.
“For the family and friends of the victims, the employees of the Royal Farms Store, and our entire Baltimore County community our thoughts and prayers are with you,” said Baltimore County Police Chief Melissa Hyatt. “The Baltimore County Police Department will remain steadfast in our support to those who were impacted by this tragedy.”
According to investigators, the genesis of this tragic chain of events actually started in the early morning hours at the Manor Road address. The shooter had no criminal contacts with police; and the firearm the shooter possessed was legally purchased.
Family has started a GoFundMe page
Alfie Smith, shot and killed at the Royal Farms. https://t.co/OOecG0S4RI pic.twitter.com/rDtWheiBDS— Alexa Ashwell (@AlexaAshwell) March 29, 2021
This is Silvesta Daye Jr.He was simply making a purchase at the Royal Farms when BCPD says a 26-year-old man opened fire in the parking lot, and then inside the store. Three people were shot. Two of them were killed including Daye. He leaves behind two children, family tells me. pic.twitter.com/5tXo3F2xwz
— Alexa Ashwell (@AlexaAshwell) March 29, 2021
