Authorities are identifying the three people shot in an apparent murder-suicide at a home near Salisbury University.
The Wicomico County Sheriff's Office said Wednesday that 21-year-old Ryan Shallue shot 19-year-old Charles Abbott and 20-year-old Kristen Loetz on Tuesday night, then turned the gun on himself.
The sheriff's office says Shallue was pronounced dead on the scene and Abbott was pronounced dead at an area hospital. Loetz, a university student from Stevensville, is being treated at Shock Trauma in Baltimore in critical, but stable condition.
The sheriff's office says Shallue, who was also from Stevensville, was Loetz' former boyfriend and the pair argued Tuesday night. When Abbott intervened, the sheriff's office says Shallue shot him and Loetz.
University officials said in an alert that there was no ongoing threat to the campus.
Salisbury University President Janet Dudley-Eshbach released the following statement late Tuesday evening:
Dear Members of the Salisbury University Campus Community,
Many of you have heard about this evening’s shooting on Onley Road, near campus. The Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office has described this as a murder-suicide. The alleged perpetrator no longer poses a threat to the campus or the greater community, as he is one of the deceased. Neither of the two individuals who died is believed to be a Salisbury University student. I am, however, saddened to inform you that another victim is an SU student. She has been flown to the University of Maryland Medical Center Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore. We extend our compassion and prayers to the victims' and student’s families and friends.
The Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office and Salisbury Police Department continue to investigate the incident with the full cooperation of the Salisbury University Police Department and all other appropriate campus offices.
This terrible news is shocking, and I remind our students that they are not alone in their feelings. The Counseling Center is open this evening and also will be open tomorrow for those seeking comfort and guidance. We are a caring community and I know we will support one another following this tragedy.
I will send you more information as it becomes available.
Janet Dudley-Eshbach, Ph.D.
President
