Two People Shot Near Wawa on Fort Meade Road Sunday Evening, Hospitalized

Two people were hospitalized after being shot Sunday evening near the Wawa at the 9600 block of Fort Meade Road in Laurel, police said. Officers responded after calls of gunfire and found two people who had been shot, authorities reported.

"Officers were called to 9600 block of Fort Meade Road, the location of a Wawa convenience store, around 6:27 p.m. and found two people who had been shot." The victims received life-saving care at the scene and were transported to area hospitals, where "they remain stable, police said." According to investigators, the victims "said they were shot by two unknown gunmen."

Laurel police have opened an active investigation but have not released identifying details about the victims, suspect descriptions, motive, or whether the shooting happened inside the store, in the parking lot, or on adjacent sidewalks. Police advise that callers with information should get in touch as soon as possible. "Police continue to investigate, and urge anyone who may have witnessed the shooting to contact them at 301-498-0092."

For residents of Prince George’s County, shootings in public retail corridors can have ripple effects beyond the immediate injuries. Medical teams and emergency responders must balance urgent trauma care with patient privacy and local hospital capacity. Survivors and witnesses may face short- and long-term emotional and mental-health consequences, including post-traumatic stress and heightened fear around everyday errands like stopping for gas or groceries. Community-based violence intervention programs, hospital trauma counseling, and coordinated public safety responses are part of the public-health toolkit needed to reduce both immediate harm and chronic impacts.

This incident also underscores longstanding equity and policy questions in the county: who gets rapid access to trauma care, how patrol and prevention resources are prioritized in commercial corridors, and how police-community partnerships can build trust so witnesses feel safe reporting what they saw. Laurel residents who use the Fort Meade Road corridor for work, school, or commerce will understandably watch for updates about suspect descriptions, arrests, and any changes in patrols or store operations.

Laurel police say the investigation is ongoing; anyone with video, photos, or other information related to the incident is asked to call 301-498-0092. Reporters and community members seeking more detail should expect follow-up releases as detectives confirm location specifics, victim status, and whether charges are filed. In the meantime, neighbors and local leaders can press for transparent updates, survivor support services, and prevention strategies that treat gun violence as both a criminal justice problem and a public-health emergency.