UPDATE: Maryland State Police investigate shooting near Richmond Ave

SALISBURY, Md.- At the intersection of West Road and Richmond Avenue state police say a man was shot by an unknown suspect in the lower portion of his body just after 8 p.m., now an active investigation is underway.

All was quiet Thursday afternoon, but that was certainly not the case Wednesday night.

Resident Martece Birckhead said, “Normally it’s nice and quiet just how it is right now, everyone likes to have fun here. You never know, it’s just like a bottle of soda, if you shake it up, the wrong way it’s going to explode.”

For Birckhead and others along Richmond Avenue, the shooting of a 42-year-old man outside this store hit to close to home but it’s not unexpected.

He said, “I’m used to it. At the end of the day, I fear for myself. I have kids of my own, a fiancé at home.”

Birckhead says he fears for his family’s safety, knowing that someone was shot and taken to a local hospital.

But police say there is no threat to the public, despite acknowledging that the man did not identify his attacker.

He said, “It needs to come to a stop. You have kids out here. Nobody wants to be a walking target just because of some animosity.”

Investigators are asking anyone who has seen or heard anything to please contact them as this information is critical to their investigation.

You can reach the Maryland State Police Salisbury Barrack at 410-749-3101.