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 directly south of BWI, sandwiched between an industrial park and a small neighborhood.

A representative for Morningside could not immediately be reached for comment.

In announcing the shooting Monday morning, police said Thomas and Bryant knew each other but did not describe their relationship. 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 that search was unsuccessful.

During a “secondary daylight search,” police said they found Bryant, who had died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Police did not say when Bryant was found or whether they recovered a weapon, and a spokesperson did not respond immediately to a request for comment.

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 may be updated.