Three dead, one critically injured after shooting in US state of Maryland

WASHINGTON -- Three people died and another was critically injured after a shooting broke out in Smithsburg, US state of Maryland, on Thursday afternoon.

Officers responded to the Columbia Machine Inc. at approximately 2:30 pm (1830 GMT), where they found the four victims, the Washington County Sheriff's Office wrote in the latest press release.

The suspect fled the scene prior to law enforcement's arrival. The suspect's vehicle was later encountered by Maryland State Police.

Gunshots were exchanged between the suspect and a trooper, according to the release. Both were injured and transported for medical treatment.

There is no confirmed active threat to the community in relation to this incident, the release noted.

Multiple federal agencies have responded to assist in the investigation into the incident.

Smithsburg is about 110 kilometers northwest of Washington, D.C.

This is the latest of a series of mass shootings that have rocked the United States over the past weeks.

US lawmakers are discussing gun control legislation but whether the talks will bear fruit is unknown.