With mass shooting at Columbia Machine, tragedy hits 'very close to home'

Sherry Greenfield, The Herald-Mail
·2 min read

SMITHSBURG — Smithsburg streets were empty and eerily quiet one day after a mass shooting at the Columbia Machine facility northeast of town.

As it is on most mornings, the Dixie Eatery on North Main Street had its fair share of customers enjoying a hometown breakfast the restaurant offers.

Activity in and around Columbia Machine was minimal on Friday morning, less than 24 hours after a gunman opened fire at the Washington County facility.
Activity in and around Columbia Machine was minimal on Friday morning, less than 24 hours after a gunman opened fire at the Washington County facility.

Though most of the patrons declined to comment on Thursday's shooting, Jeffrey Nalley said the frequency of shootings left him concerned for his grandchildren.

"It's not right," said Nalley, who was ordering breakfast for himself and his 8-year-old granddaughter, Briella Nalley. "These shootings are going on all over the place. In schools, the Valley Mall (parking lot).

"I have six little grandkids and worry about them," the Smithsburg resident said.

Smithsburg resident Jeffrey Nalley and his granddaughter, Briella Nalley, 8, sit for breakfast at the Dixie Eatery on Main Street in downtown Smithsburg on Friday, June 10, 2022.
Smithsburg resident Jeffrey Nalley and his granddaughter, Briella Nalley, 8, sit for breakfast at the Dixie Eatery on Main Street in downtown Smithsburg on Friday, June 10, 2022.

A Hagerstown man was arrested after a shooting outside the Valley Mall on Wednesday, which left another person wounded, according to the Washington County Sheriff's Office.

More on mall shooting: Hagerstown man charged with attempted murder after shooting in Valley Mall parking lot

Pittsville shooting: Wicomico sheriff's deputy dies from injuries suffered in shooting in Pittsville on Sunday

Meanwhile, Smithsburg resident Jeanne Semler said Friday she was babysitting her grandchildren when she heard the news of the shooting at Columbia Machine.

"It's very sad," she said. "I knew the cop that got shot. My heart goes out to his mom and dad."

Semler said she "loved" the fact that the church next door to the plant was open for grieving families and friends of the victims of the shooting.

Smithsburg resident Gabriel Boumel called the shooting a terrible tragedy.

"This tragedy hit very close to home," said Boumel, who was with his 8-year-old daughter, Natalie Boumel. "I'm so very happy school was let out on Tuesday, and the kids were home safe."

Smithsburg residents Gabriel Boumel, and his daughter, Natalie Boumel, 8, discuss the Columbia Machine shooting while stopping by the downtown area on Friday, June 10, 2022.
Smithsburg residents Gabriel Boumel, and his daughter, Natalie Boumel, 8, discuss the Columbia Machine shooting while stopping by the downtown area on Friday, June 10, 2022.

More news: Smithsburg mass shooting live updates: Victims identified in Thursday's shooting

Officers response: Smithsburg shooting: Police presence along Mapleville Road and Bikle Road

Correction: This story was updated at 2:52 p.m. June 13, 2022, to correct the spellings of the last names of Jeffrey and Briella Nally. The Herald-Mail apologizes for the error.

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Mail: Maryland mass shooting: Quiet returns to Smithsburg day after shooting