Crisfield, Md. – Maryland State Police (MSP) are investigating an apparent attempted murder and suicide that left one man dead and a woman seriously wounded, Saturday morning in Somerset County, according to MSP Spokeswoman, Elena Russo.
Authorities became aware of the incident at around 8:00 a.m. Saturday morning, when the victim’s sister called 9-1-1, telling dispatchers she was on the phone with her sister, later identified as Susan Preston, 44, of Delmar, Maryland, when the incident reportedly occurred.
Maryland State Police, stationed at the Princess Anne Barrack, responded to the 2000 block of Silver Lane for reports for of a shooting at a residence. Upon arrival troopers found the caller’s sister, Susan Preston, suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. She was immediately transported to R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore.
Police believe the suspect, identified as Gary Preston, a former Maryland State Police trooper, 57, of Delmar, Maryland, for unknown reasons, drove to the victim’s location where the shooting occurred, according to Russo. He was found lying on the floor of the living room with an apparent gunshot wound. EMS personnel pronounced him deceased at the scene.
Russo said there is no motive known at this time for the suspect’s actions. Police determined the victim is the estranged wife of the suspect.
Gary Preston was found with a handgun in his possession, according to Russo. He was later transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Baltimore for autopsy.
State police investigators from the Criminal Enforcement Division, along with crime scene technicians from the Maryland State Police Forensic Sciences Division are conducting an the investigation, with the assistance from the Crisfield Police Department.