Crime & Safety

Police Identify Body of Suspect in Ellicott City Church Shootings

Douglas Franklin Jones, who used St. Peter's food bank, was found dead in the woods Thursday after two women were shot at the church.

Police have identified the body of a suspect in the church shooting Thursday evening in Ellicott City as that of a man who visited the church food pantry.

Howard County Police say Douglas Franklin Jones, 56, was found dead in a wooded area near St. Peter’s Episcopal Church with a handgun near his body.

Police say he died of a "self-inflicted gunshot wound."

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Brenda Brewington, 59, of Ellicott City was found dead and Mary-Marguerite Kohn, 62, of Arbutus was found with gunshot wounds in an office at St. Peter’s.

Police said Kohn was in "very critical condition."

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Police said Jones had regularly been visiting the church’s food bank, but recently he had become “belligerent and argumentative.” Police say Jones’ disputes with the church may have been his motive for the shootings. 

Police say they believe Jones was living in a campsite in the woods where they found personal belongings.

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