Triple homicide investigation underway after suspected arson at Aberdeen apartment complex

BALTIMORE -- Aberdeen police continue to investigate a triple homicide and a suspected arson at the Highland Commons apartment complex Monday morning.

Aberdeen police spokesperson Capt. Will Reiber said units responded around 5:30 a.m. to the apartment complex at the unit block of Roosevelt Avenue, where smoke was found on the second floor. 

There, firefighters found a man and two women dead inside an apartment.  Police said the victims suffered traumatic injuries consistent with homicide.

Detectives said Tuesday they are working to identify the victims of the fire.

"It was immediately apparent that there were activities that needed to be investigated by police, which prompted our response," Reiber said, which included "the immediate lockdown at the location and an active investigation with our crime scene resources."

Neighbors are stunned, and police say they can't remember the last time something like this happened in this community. 

"That kind of makes me drop a little bit, in feeling, because I didn't think any of that type of thing happened out here," Mark Jennifer, an Aberdeen resident, said. 

It is unclear if the three unidentified victims died as a result of the fire.

Multiple neighbors told WJZ they heard banging sounds before fire alarms rang out. 

"I heard about six bangs. It sounded like a hammer hitting the floor," a neighbor said.

Police said the incident was not random and are looking for at least one suspect who they described as a "dangerous person."  

"We need to make sure that this person is brought to justice, and we are deploying all resources to make sure that does happen," Reiber said.

Six apartments were impacted by damage related to the fire, according to police.

A local church is offering clothing, food, and water to anyone impacted or displaced.