COLUMBIA, MD — A quiet neighborhood in Columbia was shaken Monday night after police discovered the bodies of two individuals in what authorities are calling a suspected murder-suicide.
According to the Howard County Police Department, officers were dispatched to a home in the 7500 block of Summer Blossom Lane around 8:15 p.m. on June 30, after an acquaintance of the couple stopped by to check on them and made the grim discovery. Inside the home, police found Shannon Buschner, 47, and Ahmad Kharma, 23, both dead from apparent gunshot wounds.
Preliminary investigations suggest that Kharma shot and killed Buschner before turning the gun on himself, officials confirmed. A firearm was recovered near Kharma at the scene.
The two were reportedly in a relationship and shared the residence, according to police. Authorities have stated that no one else is believed to be involved, though the motive and exact timeline of the incident remain under active investigation.
Anyone with information about the case is encouraged to contact Howard County Police at 410-313-STOP or via email.
The incident comes as Maryland officials recently unveiled a public health-centered approach to addressing gun violence across the state. The Maryland Department of Health introduced a new plan last week structured around three strategic pillars: prevention and assessment, intervention and response, and community resilience and healing.
The plan aims to reduce gun violence by establishing local violence reduction councils, interrupting the cycle of violence in vulnerable communities, and investing in support systems for areas most impacted by firearm-related tragedies.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Maryland reported 734 firearm-related deaths in 2023, with 63% classified as homicides and 36% as suicides. The Summer Blossom Lane tragedy underscores the continued urgency of addressing both domestic violence and suicide prevention as part of broader gun safety efforts.
As Columbia residents process the heartbreaking news, community members are expressing grief and concern, highlighting the ongoing need for mental health support and relationship violence awareness.
Howard County Police continue to investigate and are urging anyone with insight into the case to come forward.