Annapolis neighborhood still coming to grips with deadly mass shooting: 'I was just surprised'
BALTIMORE - A neighborhood in Annapolis is now the site of a federal investigation into a mass shooting.
"It's just a nice quiet community, a little bit of kids running and playing around," community resident William Gross said.
Six people were shot during what police are calling a large birthday party at a home Sunday night on Paddington Place. Police initially said the shooting happened during a graduation party.
Three of the victims died -- Nicholas Mireles, 55, his son Mario Mireles, 27, and family friend, Christian Segovia, 25.
Authorities said between 150 and 200 people gathered Sunday evening for a large graduation party.
Neighbors told WJZ when the shots rang out people were scrambling to make sure that children who were around were safe from the gunshots.
Gross told WJZ he heard the gunshots.
"I was just surprised," Gross said. "Nothing ever happened here like this in 29 years."
Annapolis police said the shooter was 43-year-old Charles Smith.
According to charging documents, Smith's mother called in a complaint about a car blocking their driveway.
The documents said a fight began after Mario Mireles went over to address the parking issue.
That's when witnesses told police that Smith pulled out a gun, shooting Mireles and Segovia.
Charging documents then said Smith went inside his home and shot the other victims with a rifle from a window.
"We have far too many high-powered weapons that are in the hands of people with rage, mental illness and substance abuse and you mixed those two together what good is going to come out of that," Annapolis Police Chief Edward Jackson said.
Annapolis Police say the FBI and ATF are assisting in the investigation.
Governor Wes Moore is sending supporting resources from his office.
"Another mass shooting in our country," Governor Moore said. "It happened here in our city."
In the wake of a shocking tragedy for people in this neighborhood, Annapolis city leaders plan to offer outreach services over the next several days and weeks.
"There are many people on that block who will never be the same," Annapolis Mayor Gavin Buckley said. "The people who live in that diverse community are our family. They're our children. We should be taking care of them. We need to do better."
Police are calling this an active and fluid investigation. They were out on the scene all day Monday. It appears they will be back Tuesday.
Smith is being held behind bars being held without bond.
