Mass Shooting in Maryland Thwarted – Suspect Arrested
1:32 p.m. UPDATE – The Maryland suspect accused of planning a mass shooting at Pitney Bowes was identified as Neil Trescott, according to ABC 7 News. When searching the suspect’s home, police officers found 20 guns, including assault rifles and handguns, and thousands of rounds of ammunition. Neil Trescott was wearing a t-shirt which read, “Guns don’t kill people – I do” when arrested.
Maryland police officers believe they thwarted a mass shooting by a man who was just from his job at Pitney Bowes. Law enforcement authorities in Anne Arundel and Prince George’s Counties arrested an unnamed suspect last night in Crofton, according to ABC 7 News. Maryland police found an “arsenal of weapons” in the suspect’s home and noteed the man made threats directed at his employer and mentioned the Aurora mass shooting when talking about his plans, Fox News reports.
Prince George’s and Anne Arundel Counties law enforcement officers report the suspect stated he want to shoot his former Pitney Bowes boss while speaking with a former co-worker on Thursday evening. The Maryland police officers also told ABC 7 News they feel they “foiled a shooting which could have been another Aurora.” The unnamed suspect is reportedly 28-years-old.
“We can’t measure what we prevented here. We averted a significant…and violent episode,” Police Chief Mark Magaw told ABC 7 News.
The Baltimore Sun reports the suspect was being treated at Anne Arundel Medical Center. The non-profit hospital serves Calvert, Queen Anne’s, Ann Arundel and Prince George’s Counties. The Maryland suspect reportedly lives on the Prince George’s and Ann Arundel county line.
A “source close to the investigation” speaking to Fox News maintains the Maryland suspect is “emotionally disturbed” and threatened to “shoot people” at his former workplace. The Law Officer website reports the Maryland suspect not only mentioned the Aurora movie theater shooting, but also made a reference to the “Batman Dark Knight Rises” character, “The Joker.”
“I am a joker and I’m gonna load my guns and blow everybody up,” Neil Trescott stated during his arrest, ABC 7 News reports.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are planning press conference on the arrested of the Maryland suspect who was allegedly planning a mass shooting this afternoon. Check back for updates.
