Ahmad Kharma, Shannon Buschner Obituary, Death: Maryland couple found dead in suspected murder-suicide

Ahmad Kharma, Shannon Buschner Obituary, Death – A Maryland couple has died in what authorities believe was a murder-suicide in Howard County, according to police. Howard County Police reported that officers were called to a home in the 7500 block of Summer Blossom Lane around 8:15 p.m. on June 30. The call came from someone who knew the couple and had gone to check on them. Inside the home, the acquaintance discovered the bodies of two people.

Following an initial investigation, police determined that 23-year-old Ahmad Kharma likely shot and killed 47-year-old Shannon Buschner before turning the gun on himself. A firearm was found near Kharma at the scene.

Police say both individuals lived in the home and were in a relationship. They believe no one else was involved in the incident. The exact time of the shooting and the motive remain under investigation. Authorities are asking anyone with information to contact Howard County Police at 410-313-STOP or through email.

This tragic case comes as Maryland continues to address rising concerns about gun violence. The Maryland Department of Health recently introduced a public health-based strategy aimed at reducing firearm-related deaths across the state. The plan includes three main pillars: prevention and assessment, intervention and response, and community resilience and healing.

As part of the prevention efforts, the state will create local violence reduction councils made up of community leaders, researchers, and criminal justice professionals. The intervention aspect will focus on interrupting cycles of violence, especially in vulnerable communities. The third pillar will aim to build stronger support systems in neighborhoods most affected by gun violence.

Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) revealed that Maryland experienced 734 firearm-related deaths in 2023. Of these, approximately 63% were homicides, while about 36% were suicides.

This recent case in Howard County is not the only such tragedy in the region this year. In April, a murder-suicide in Baltimore County shocked another Maryland community. Police responded to a home on Avery Hill Drive in Owings Mills on April 2 following a report of an assault. They found Karen Franklin, 59, and Gary Franklin, 63, both dead from gunshot wounds.

These incidents underscore the complex and tragic nature of murder-suicide cases, which often leave communities stunned and grieving. Mental health support and domestic violence prevention remain key elements in addressing and potentially preventing such events.

As the investigation into the Howard County incident continues, officials urge the public to speak up if they have any relevant information or if they know someone at risk. The community is left mourning the sudden loss of two lives while broader efforts continue to reduce the toll of gun violence across Maryland.