Maryland Police are investigating the shooting death of a man and a woman, who were shot over 40 times at their home in the middle of the night while four children were present on Aug. 25.
According to authorities, the children were unharmed in the horrific incident.
“On Sunday, August 25th, at approximately 7:00 AM, Deputies were called to a residence in the 7000 Block of Mandalong Ct. in New Market. The call was reported as a shooting,” the local sheriff’s office posted on Facebook. “Upon responding, deputies found the deceased victims shot multiple times in an upstairs bedroom.”
A preliminary investigation established that the double murder occurred around 1:30 a.m., the office said.
According to the police, the deceased woman was the mother of all four children who were found inside the home. The male victim is the father of one of the children. Both victims are believed to have been living together at the time of the shooting, the police continued.
In a press conference, Sheriff Chuck Jenkins identified the victims as 33-year-old Crimea Baker and 34-year-old Sean Lange.
Police believe the killings were targeted and are now investigating the incident as a double murder. They have ruled out the possibility of a murder-suicide.
Shell casings were recovered in the bedroom indicating that the shots were fired at close range, Jenkins said.
“This was a heinous targeted double murder, a crime of rage and anger. This is the type of crime that shocks the conscience of Frederick County residents,” the sheriff added.
No suspects have been identified in the case, and no apparent threat to the public is suspected.
“There is absolutely no reason to believe there is any risk or threat to the local public at large. I can assure the public that every available investigator and agency resource will be brought to bear in this case until the person(s) responsible are identified, arrested, and brought to justice,” Jenkins said.
The sheriff’s office requested the public’s assistance in the case. The department asked anyone living in the area surrounding the home to contact them if they have surveillance video from 11 p.m. on Aug. 24 to 3 a.m. on Aug. 25.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Detective Reese immediately at 301-600-3640.
Crimea Baker’s best friend, Jennifer Duncan, has set up a fundraiser to help the children stay together.
“I am reaching out to our community in need of support for her four young children ages 11, 10, 9, and 7-month-old baby. I will continue with details below, but first I am asking for your help on behalf of Crimea’s children. Please consider donating and sharing,” she posted on GiveSendGo.
The campaign has since raised over $100,000.