8 shot, 1 dead following mass shooting and fiery car crash near Maryland funeral home

TOWSON, Md. (TCN) -- Police are searching for a suspect or suspects who fatally shot one victim and injured nine others in what investigators believe was a targeted act of violence.

On Tuesday, Dec. 17, at 7:15 p.m., Baltimore County Police Department officers responded to a shots fired call on the 8500 block of Loch Raven Boulevard and found 10 victims. Chief Robert McCullough said at a press conference that a car had been "fully engulfed in flames" with 26-year-old Charles Graham Jr. deceased nearby. The rest of the victims were located outside of the vehicle. Nine people ranging in age from 14 to 27 years old suffered gunshot wounds, and a 24-year-old male sustained another type of injury. All were transported to local trauma centers. One victim has since been released from the hospital.

Police said all 10 victims were traveling in the car prior to "some type of incident that led to the vehicle crashing and catching on fire." The event reportedly spanned the length of several blocks.

WDCW-TV reports the car crash occurred close to a funeral home.

Due to the number of victims, Baltimore County Police classified the incident as a mass shooting.

Police are also investigating whether this event had any connection to the fatal shooting of 19-year-old Andrew Blessing on Dec. 9, which occurred near Tuesday’s crime scene. It is possible the victims knew Blessing.

McCollough said, "At this point, nothing has been ruled out," adding, "We are considering the whole situation in terms of retaliation."

According to McCollough, investigators are looking into whether the incident was gang-related, saying there "appeared to be some rival individuals in this case."

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