By Gillaila Thomas
Baltimore Watchdog Staff Writer
Baltimore County Police said Monday an investigation continues into the triple shooting early Sunday that left five people dead, including the 27-year-old gunman and his parents.
“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 firearm that was used by the suspect was a legally purchased weapon and he had no criminal contacts with police, Police Col. Andre Davis said.
In piecing together the details of the shooting, officials said the gunman, Joshua Green, apparently shot his parents, Douglas and Olivia Green, at their home in Baldwin between 5:30 a.m. and 6 a.m. Sunday. Police found the couple in the garage at the 1400 block of Manor Road in the afternoon.
Joshua Green arrived just before 7 a.m. at the Royal Farms store along Middleborough Road in Essex, and used his car to block in Alpha Smith, 62, who had parked in front of the store. Green shot Smith through the car window, Davis said.
Joshua Green then entered the store and shot and killed customer Silvesta Daye, 43, and shot in the leg employee Joshua Robinson.
Joshua Green drove to his nearby apartment at Hartland Ridge complex and set fire to a mattress. When he ran out of the complex on fire, neighbors called police. Before police arrived, Green shot and killed himself in the parking lot.
Police said that Robinson was in stable condition at a local hospital.
Baltimore County Fire Department officials said that the fire set by Green caused little structural damage, and that firefighters put it out in less than 10 minutes. However, officials estimate other damage to the apartment at $10,000.
Davis said that the bodies of Joshua Green’s parents were not found until police went to the home to speak with them about their son’s death around 3:20 p.m. Douglas Green was 58 and Olivia Green, 62.
“Our homicide detectives are tirelessly investigating a motive,” said Davis, who acknowledged that officials have spoken with a family member about the suspect’s mental health prior to the shooting.
Officials are waiting to speak with the victim that suffered serious injuries, he added.
County Executive Johnny Olszewski encouraged everyone to check on family, friends and neighbors that might be dealing with different stresses that may lead to tragic events.
“Baltimore county suffered through a horrific and sickening event, which changed the lives of many people, including some who were lost,” Hyatt said, describing the incident as “senseless tragedy.”