Maryland

Maryland man arrested in killing of estranged wife at Frederick County grocery store

The suspect and victim were going through a divorce, the Frederick County Sheriff's Office said

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A man was arrested late Saturday for shooting and killing his estranged wife at a grocery store in Frederick County, Maryland, authorities say.

The suspect was identified as Frederick Owusu Sakyi, 33, of Walkersville, Maryland, according to the Frederick County Sheriff's Office.

Deputies were called to the Giant Food at 3530 Sugarloaf Parkway just after 11 p.m. for reports of a shooting. They arrived to find a woman dead on the scene. This is a busy shopping center with restaurants and businesses.

The woman was identified Sunday as Tenisha Butler, 33, of Frederick. The sheriff's office confirmed to News4 she was an employee at the Giant Food.

Authorities said that besides security video from the shopping center that may have captured the incident, they were approached by neighbors from nearby houses.

“A lot of witnesses let us know that the suspect had fled in a vehicle,” Todd Wivell, spokesperson for the sheriff's office, said. “We had neighbors coming out throughout the night saying, ‘I have a Ring camera. If you need it you can use it.’”

Based on witness information, authorities began tracking Sakyi’s vehicle. 

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“We were able to track that individual down within three hours. We found them in Columbia, Maryland, and we worked with the Howard County Police Department to pick him up,” Wivell said. 

Deputies found a handgun on the front seat and an assault rifle on the back seat of Sakyi’s vehicle.

In a statement, Giant Food said it was "with deep sadness" that they confirm the incident that happened in the parking lot of the Urbana store.

"A little after 11 p.m., after store closing, there was a shooting that resulted in the death of an associate who appears to have been targeted. Our thoughts and prayers are with our associate and their family at this very difficult time," the statement read in part.

"We are cooperating fully with law enforcement as they conduct their investigation, and the safety and well-being of our customers and associates continue to be our top priorities," the statement continued.

An initial investigation found that Sakyi and Butler were going through a divorce. There is a history of protective orders and Sakyi stalking Butler, the sheriff's office said.

Sakyi was taken to the Frederick County Adult Detention Center.

Additional details about what led to the shooting were not immediately released.

This is a developing story. Stay with News4 for more updates.

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