Montgomery County man kills 3 when wife escapes, seeks help after being held captive, police say

BROOKEVILLE, Md. - A suspect shot three people to death after his wife, who he held captive for days, escaped to a neighbor's home for help on Monday in Montgomery County, according to officials.

Police believe 41-year-old Christopher Snyder held his wife captive over the weekend and followed her to their neighbor's home where she fled after she was able to escape on Monday afternoon. It was at their neighbor's home where investigators say Snyder shot and killed three adults. Police said one of the victims lived in the home, another was a guest, and the third was working in the home. His wife and two others inside were able to escape unharmed.

Police say after the shootings, Snyder retreated back to his home where a standoff ensued for hours. He killed himself, investigators say, after a police tactical team broke through the front door around 11 p.m. Officials say they have had contact with Snyder in the past.

His motives for the shootings remain unknown, officials say.

FOX 5's Melanie Alnwick said police were still combing over the scene Tuesday morning on Brown Farm Way in Brookeville where the violence took place.

Alnwick said that ATF records indicate Snyder was a federally licensed gun dealer. He also had a background in security, she said. Alnwick said investigators could be seen Tuesday removing boxes of weapons and ballistic vests from his home and that several vehicles were towed from both of the crime scenes. A contractor's van remained parked outside of the home where the three were killed.

Police have not identified the victims at this time and the investigation is still continuing.