New Details In Smithsburg Mass Shooting Released By MD State Police

MARYLAND — Maryland State Police have identified the troopers who helped arrest the man accused of shooting five people, including three fatally, and injuring a Maryland state trooper last week in Washington County.

Joe Louis Esquivel, 23, of Hedgesville, West Virginia, is facing charges in connection with the fatal shooting.

Police confirmed Monday that Esquivel has been charged with the following:

• Three counts of first-degree murder.
• Three counts of second-degree murder.
• Five counts of first-degree assault.
• Five counts of second-degree assault.
• Three counts of attempted first-degree murder.
• Three counts of attempted second-degree murder.
• Two counts of first-degree assault.
• Two counts of second-degree assault.
• Two counts of reckless endangerment.
• One count of having a handgun illegally in a vehicle.
• One count of having a loaded handgun in a vehicle.
• One count of illegal handgun possession.
• Two counts of using a firearm in the commission of a felony.

He is being held without bond in the care and custody of the Washington County Detention Center.

SEE ALSO:

• 3 Killed In Smithsburg Shooting Named, Accused Gunman Was Co-Worker
• Accused Maryland Shooter Identified, Charged With Murder: Police

According to Maryland State Police, the injured trooper was identified as Detective Sgt. Phillip Martin. Martin is assigned to the Criminal Enforcement Division Western Region.

He was taken to Meritus Medical Center in Hagerstown, where he was treated for injuries he received in the shooting and was released Thursday.

A little after 2:45 p.m. Thursday, police said Martin — along with Lt. Vincent Upole and Master Trooper David Thompson — encountered Esquivel, who had shot several of his co-workers 15 minutes earlier at Columbia Machine on Bikle Road in Smithsburg.

Police said Esquivel was driving a Mitsubishi Eclipse south on MD Route 66 at the same time the troopers, who were driving separate Maryland State Police patrol vehicles, were traveling north on the same road. The troopers tried to block the road with their vehicles near Mapleville and Mount Aetna roads. Esquivel accelerated the Mitsubishi and crashed into one of the trooper's vehicles, police said.

Investigators said Esquivel shot at the troopers through his windshield and that at least one of the troopers exchanged gunfire with him. Martin and Esquivel were both shot.

Responding troopers provided medical aid to Esquivel at the scene. In court records obtained by USA Today, Esquivel "made a statement to investigators that he shot at police to get them to kill him." He was taken by ambulance to Meritus Medical Center. Police said they also recovered a handgun at the scene.

As part of the agency's protocol, the troopers involved in the shooting will be placed on administrative duty after the investigation is finished, according to Maryland State Police.

The FBI and ATF are assisting the Washington County Sheriff’s Office with the homicide investigation.