West Virginia Man Charged in Deadly Workplace Shooting
Written by SOURCE on June 12, 2022
A 23-year-old man has been charged in connection to a mass shooting that left three dead.
Maryland police identified the suspect as West Virginia resident Joe Louis Esquivel, who was arrested shortly after he allegedly opened fire in his workplace. CBS News reports the shooting took place Thursday afternoon, when Esquivel had completed his shift at Columbia Machine Inc., a concrete product factory located in Smithsburg. Police say the man then retrieved a handgun from his vehicle, returned to the warehouse, and began shooting inside the break room. The victims have been identified as Mark Frey, 50; Charles Minnick Jr., 31; and Joshua Wallace, 30.
Law enforcement say the man the fled the scene in his car, but was stopped by Maryland State Troopers about 10 miles away from the factory. A subsequent shootout ensued, wounding the suspect and one trooper. Both were hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.
The Washington County sheriff’s office confirmed Esquivel was arrested Friday and was being held without bond. He is now facing more than two dozen charges, including three counts each of first-degree murder and second-degree murder, as well as two counts of attempted first-degree murder.
A fourth victim who survived the shooting has been identified as 42-year-old Brandon Michael. His father, Nelson Michael, told CBS News his son remains hospitalized, but his condition was unknown.
“He’s surviving. I’m glad he’s alive, but it’s going to work on his nerves. I know that.” Nelson Michael said. “I’m not saying any more. I’m just glad my son’s alive, and I feel so bad for the families of the other ones.”
