Manhunt for suspects after burglary at Montgomery County gun store; 1 suspect dead, guns recovered

A manhunt is underway for suspects after an early morning burglary at a gun store in Montgomery County. Police say at least four suspects, considered armed and dangerous, are on the loose and one suspect is dead after the incident at United Gun Shop in Rockville.

Officers say the burglary was reported around 2:30 a.m. at the store in the 5400 block of Randolph Road in Rockville. Investigators say a vehicle was used to smash into the garage door of the business providing access inside. They believe at least five suspects were involved in the burglary and entered the store where several weapons were stolen. After spotting authorities at the scene, officers say the suspects entered an SUV and rammed a police cruiser as they fled the area. Police say officers fired shots at the SUV after their cruiser was struck.

Less than a mile from the burglary scene, officers say the SUV became disabled. They believe four suspects fled the vehicle. Investigators say one person was found dead inside the SUV from a gunshot wound. Both the SUV and the vehicle used to smash into the store were reported as stolen, police say.

Officials say three handguns were recovered from the SUV. They also say a bag of guns was recovered from the yard of a home in the area.

No officers were injured in the incident. Randolph Road at Loehmann's Plaza is shut down at this time and police are asking residents and drivers to avoid the area. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call 911. Police consider the suspects armed and dangerous. The suspects have not been identified at this time however police are reviewing surveillance video from the area.

Police say they investigated an attempted robbery at the same gun store in February of this year. In 2017, 30 weapons were stolen from the gun store.