Two killed, four wounded during crime spree

LAUREL, Del. -- A man wearing a bulletproof vest killed two people and wounded four others Thursday during a shooting rampage in Maryland and Delaware before police arrested him, authorities said.

Police said the suspect also carjacked a vehicle, shot and killed a dog and rammed a SUV into a chain-link fence and over a utility meter during the crime spree. Delaware State Police Cpl. Jeff Oldham said authorities had determined a motive for the attacks, but were not releasing details. Police said the suspect, Allison L. Norman, 22, did not know any of the victims.

"Quite a morning for a little rural town," said Laurel's mayor, John Shwed.

The attacks started in Laurel, where three men were shot, and continued across the border in Maryland, where the suspect fled on foot before being caught. The three other people were shot in Salisbury, Md., including one who died, Oldham said.

Two people were shot at an apartment building in Laurel, and another at a nearby shopping center. "It was just poom, poom, poom, poom. It just scared me so bad," said Matilda Smith, a resident of the apartment building.

Trail of blood

At the shopping center, a trail of blood led down a road. Witnesses said a man was shot on side of the road, then staggered along the storefronts before collapsing. The mayor said this victim was apparently shot while trying to hitch a ride from the suspect as he fled the scene.

In Salisbury, Md., he allegedly carjacked a vehicle and was involved in a accident. Maryland State Police said the suspect was wearing the bulletproof vest and carrying a handgun when he was caught in Salisbury.

Of the four wounded, two were listed in very serious condition.

Norman's girlfriend, Ashley Dean of Seaford, Del., told WBOC-TV in Salisbury that she didn't believe her boyfriend was involved.

"Why would he do this?" Dean said. "Why would he do this? He has no reason to."

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Associated Press Writer Sarah Brumfield contributed to this story from Salisbury.