The hostage situation at Hairtasia Haircutters has ended this evening, though details of the situation are not yet available.
Police on the scene continually pushed onlookers away from the plaza. Across the street, officers ordered crowds to continue moving and by 8 p.m. a SWAT team was preparing to enter the building and officials were preparing to close Rt. 5 in both directions.
A bystander at the scene who said he is a friend of the shop owner, told The Bay Net the owner of Hairtasia had been shot and was being held hostage inside the store. He said the dispute was with a former lover of the owner.
This information is speculative, and has not been corroborated with police officials.
The Bay Net is continuing to seek information on the incident and will bring the details as soon as they are available, including pictures and video from the scene.
– At approximately 5 p.m. today St. Mary’s dispatch received a 911 call for a possible armed robbery in progress in the Charlotte Hall Shopping Center at Hairtasia Haircutters.
By 5:10 p.m. police had the building surrounded and confirmed that there are customers inside the shop laying face down on the floor. Police attempted to call the phone inside the shop but there was no answer and no culprit could be seen from outside.
By 5:25 p.m. police had the entire plaza locked down, sealing off entrances and exits, and all businesses, including Sun Trust Bank, were evacuated.
Officers set up a command post at the Farmer’s Market and an ambulance is standing by in case of any injuries. Back-up units arrived from Charles and Calvert counties.