In the quiet community of Elkridge, Maryland, a murder-suicide has left four family members dead.
On the night of May 30, 2024, around 10 p.m., Howard County police responded to multiple reports of gunshots in the 6900 block of Norwood Ferry. The suspect, identified as 61-year-old Nayyar Abbas Syed, had called 911 to confess to shooting his family before turning the gun on himself.
When officers arrived, they found a tragic scene. Syed’s wife, 57-year-old Syeda Aalia Nayyar, his 25-year-old daughter, Syeda Fatima, and his 33-year-old daughter-in-law, Alizey Fatima, were all found dead from gunshot wounds. Syed’s 31-year-old son, Muhammad Hamza, was critically injured and rushed to the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center.
The family’s three-month-old granddaughter was found unharmed in the home. She was taken to the hospital for a wellness check and is now in the custody of a family member.
Howard County police spokeswoman Sherry Llewellyn shared, “We’re going to do some investigating into phone records and text messages and see if we can find more information about what led up to this.” She also mentioned that there were no signs of forced entry, indicating that the suspect might have been let in willingly.
Further details emerged about the suspect’s relationship with the victims. Although Syed did not reside at the house, he was a frequent visitor. The motive behind this incident remains unclear, but authorities diligently work to uncover any possible reasons behind Syed’s actions.
Neighbors described Elkridge, a community of approximately 25,000 located 10 miles southwest of Baltimore, as typically quiet and peaceful. The tragedy stunned them, emphasizing the unexpected nature of such an incident in their neighborhood.
In a statement released by Howard County police, Llewellyn emphasized the importance of community support during such tragedies. “Our hearts go out to the family and friends affected by this senseless act of violence. We urge anyone struggling with similar feelings to seek help and talk to someone.”
As the investigation continues, police urge anyone with information about the case to come forward. They hope that by piecing together phone records, text messages, and other clues, they can better understand what drove Syed to commit such an act.
