Harford County suspect linked to shooting in Wilmington, Delaware, police say
EDGEWOOD, Md. - A gunman linked to a shooting that left three people dead and two injured at a business in Harford County, Maryland, on Wednesday along with another shooting in Wilmington, Delaware, has been apprehended, according to police.
The Harford County Sheriff's Office said 37-year-old Radee Labeeb Prince shot five employees at Advanced Granite Solutions in the Emmorton Business Park in Edgewood, Maryland, killing three and critically injuring two just before 9 a.m.
The Wilmington Police Department said Prince is also wanted in a shooting that happened at 28th Street Auto Sales and Service shop in the 2800 Block of Northeast Boulevard at about 10:45 a.m. Police arrived at that scene and found a man who had been shot twice, but was conscious and alert. The victim, who appeared to suffer non-life threatening injuries, identified Prince as the shooter and said the suspect was known to him.
Wilmington Police Chief Robert Tracy said Prince had "beefs" with the victim. Wilmington police said they spotted Prince in his vehicle and gave chase but lost him. Authorities said Prince has family in the Wilmington area.
MORE: Wilmington police address multi-state manhunt for Radee Prince (app users, click here)
Officials said the attack at Advanced Granite Solutions, which was carried out with a handgun, was targeted. The sheriff's office said Prince was an employee at Advanced Granite Solutions for the last four months and said Wednesday was a scheduled work day. Investigators are currently treating the shooting as a case of workplace violence and don't see ties to terrorism, said Dave Fitz, a spokesman for the Baltimore FBI field office.
Officials said Prince, who has a criminal history, fled the scene in a black 2008 GMC Acadia with Delaware plates PC64273.
Police said they had been searching for a Dodge Charger in connection with the shooting, but located and eliminated it as a vehicle of interest.
Shock Trauma in Baltimore confirmed it was treating two patients who were in critical condition. Gov. Larry Hogan, speaking at an unrelated event, said the victims in critical condition had suffered gunshot wounds to the head. A reunification point for families of the victims was established at the Richlin Ballroom on Edgewood Road. Officials have not released the identities of the victims.
Gov. Larry Hogan released the following statement on his Facebook page:
"I just got off the phone with Harford County Executive Barry Glassman and Sheriff Jeff Gahler and reaffirmed the state's complete and full support as they respond to this tragic shooting. Maryland State Police and other state law enforcement are actively working with federal and local law enforcement to apprehend the suspect. State helicopters are in the air and State Troopers are on the ground from multiple barracks. I ask all citizens - especially those in this area - to please remain vigilant, and if you think you may have any information about this terrible crime, please call 911 immediately. The First Lady and I ask that all Marylanders join with us in praying for the victims, their loved ones, and those still fighting to live."
Prince was fired from JPS Marble & Granite in Forest Hill, Maryland in February after he attacked a co-worker, according to Philip Saison, who was Prince's boss. Saison filed a restraining order against him after Prince returned to the business to yell at Saison.
"I felt very threatened because he is a big guy and very aggressive on me," Saison said in the application for the restraining order. Saison said Prince did not get physical with him, but wrote: "I do not want to wait until he will."
A Harford County District Court judge denied the order, stating the petitioner didn't meet the burden of proof.
Prince faced several gun charges in March 2015 in Cecil County, including being a felon in possession of a firearm and carrying a handgun in vehicle. However, the charges were dropped about three months later. It's unclear why the charges were dropped.
Wilmington police said Prince had been arrested 42 times in Delaware alone, including 15 felony arrests. Officials said most of the arrests were for probation violations. In King County, Washington, in 2014, he was cited for leaving the scene of an accident and driving with a suspended license, according to Komonews.com. Court records also showed that he was required to undergo drug and alcoholism counseling at the time.
Authorities checked an Elkton, Maryland home where Prince lived as recently as one month ago but he was not there.
Schools in Harford and Cecil counties were placed on lockdowns as a precaution.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.