Three people were hit by a car outside a courthouse in Montgomery County, Maryland, on Thursday after police believe the driver had just left a hearing connected to the crash victims. The search for the suspect is ongoing.
The victims are a 79-year-old woman and young men age 18 and 22, Rockville police said. The 22-year-old was released from the hospital and the others were in serious condition.
Witnesses say the driver of a dark SUV appeared to deliberately target a group of pedestrians.
The crash occurred in the 100 block of E. Montgomery Avenue, near the Montgomery County District Courthouse in Rockville. Chopper4 footage shows a number of police vehicles in the area.
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People in the area told News4 that at least one victim appeared seriously hurt.
Montgomery County police say they believe the driver, Walter Giovanni Marquez-Aviles, 44, of Gaithersburg had just gone to a hearing at the court.
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Witnesses who identified themselves as family members of the victims told News4 that both the victims and the driver of the SUV had just been in the courthouse. The two groups were at opposing sides and things got heated. The collision happened as participants left.
Rockville police issued an arrest warrant for Marquez-Aviles. Police charged him with three counts of attempted murder and three courts of first degree assault.
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A surveillance camera nearby may have footage of what happened.
Anyone with potentially relevant information is asked to contact police.
This is a developing story. Stay with NBC Washington for more.
