Virginia woman captured on shocking video shooting up Howard County gas station

(Video catches the flash of O’Donnell’s gun as she shoots at the attendant)

(April 22, 2026)  A Virginia woman has been identified as the suspect in a bizarre shooting that left a gas station employee seriously injured during an attempted robbery in Howard County, police announced.

Investigators say Shantay Lashay O’Donnell, 46, has been linked to the April 17 shooting at a Shell gas station in the 7200 block of Cradlerock Way in Columbia, Maryland. Officers responded to the scene around 7:43 p.m. on Friday after reports of gunfire inside the business were reported.

According to Howard County police, an adult male employee was shot during the incident and rushed to the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center, where he remained in serious condition following the attack.

Detectives believe O’Donnell acted alone, firing shots during an attempted robbery before fleeing the scene after shooting up the place. No other injuries were reported.

As the investigation unfolded, authorities released surveillance video and offered a reward of up to $2,500 for information leading to the suspect’s identification and arrest.  Below, you can check out that frightening and shocking video depicting O’Donnell firing several shots inside the gas station and at the clerk.

On April 21, police confirmed that O’Donnell had been located and is currently in custody in another state on unrelated charges. Officials say she will face multiple charges in Howard County in connection with the shooting once she is transferred.

Police have not yet released any additional details about the circumstances leading up to the shooting – but say more information will be made public as charges are formally filed.

Anyone with information related to the case is still encouraged to contact Howard County police. For more on this frightening and somewhat bizarre holdup in Columbia, see the video accompanying this article.

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(Source: Howard County Police Department)

Posted by Richard Webster, Ace News Today
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