On May 8, 2021, a violent attack in Gwynn Oak, Maryland, ended with three people dead and several others wounded. Neighbors say 56-year-old Everton Brown forced his way into the home of 41-year-old Ismael Quintanilla, stabbing and shooting him. Brown then chased Quintanilla’s 37-year-old wife, Sara Alacote, outside and fatally shot her. Two other neighbors who emerged from their homes were shot; 24-year-old Sagar Ghimire was killed and others were wounded.

Police responding to reports of an active shooter and a fire found Brown in a parking lot. After he did not comply with officers’ commands, four officers fired at him; Brown was taken to a hospital and pronounced dead. Brown had a documented history of erratic and threatening behavior, and officers later found several homemade explosive devices in one of his vehicles. The Quintanillas’ 17-year-old son survived the attack in the home.

The community has been left mourning the senseless losses; no clear motive has been reported beyond Brown’s long-documented aggression and paranoia. If anyone knew the victims, the family, or had information about Brown’s behavior before May 8, please share what might help explain how this escalated.