Victim identified in murder-suicide outside Hanover retirement community

A 25-year-old man shot and killed a woman Friday night outside a retirement community in Hanover before fleeing and taking his own life, according to police.

Anne Arundel County Police said they were called to Morningside House of Friendship at 7548 Old Telegraph Road, just south of Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, around 8:50 p.m. on Sept. 11, after multiple reports of a shooting.

When officers arrived, they located a woman with gunshot wounds. She was pronounced dead at the scene. Witnesses told investigators that a man ran away into a large wooded area after the shooting.

Police identified the victim as 27-year-old Asia Natee Virginia Thomas, of Baltimore. They said she had “just finished” a shift at Morningside House and was sitting outside the building with Deontae Tranell Bryant, 25, of Aberdeen.

Morningside House of Friendship is sandwiched between an industrial park and a small neighborhood.

In an emailed statement, the company’s president and CEO, Kelly Mason, called the shooting a “heartbreaking loss.”

“Our deepest sympathies are with her family, loved ones, and colleagues during this incredibly difficult time. Our residents were not involved in the incident and their safety, as well as the safety of our employees, is of the utmost importance to us,” the statement read.

Mason said Morningside House was cooperating fully with the county’s investigation.

In announcing the shooting Monday morning, police said that Thomas and Bryant knew each other and that the nature of their relationship was under investigation. Police said there was an “altercation” before Bryant shot Thomas and ran away.

Police searched the wooded area south of the retirement community Friday night, establishing an extended perimeter, but the search was unsuccessful.

During a “secondary daylight search,” police said they found Bryant, who had died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. In an email, police spokesperson Justin Mulcahy said Bryant’s body was found around 1:30 p.m. Saturday, “not far” from the shooting, and police recovered a handgun.

Police said an investigation is ongoing. They’ve asked anyone with information to call homicide detectives at 410-222-4731.

If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts or behavior, call or text 988 to contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

This story has been updated.