Hagerstown Police Release Identity of Shooting Suspect in Tuesday Incident – The Panhandle News Network

HAGERSTOWN, Md. – Hagerstown police have identified the man arrested in a shooting on Franklin Street on Tuesday.

“On 10/22/24 at approximately 11:15 a.m., Hagerstown Police Department officers responded to the 7 Star Mini Mart located at 200 W. Franklin St for a report of shots fired. Upon arrival, officers made contact with two females who reported being struck by a vehicle that pulled into the parking lot,” HPD said.

The investigation revealed that a Toyota Camry pulled up and struck the two women. A man who was with the women at the time pulled out a handgun and fired one shot at the driver of the Toyota Camry. The driver of the Toyota fled the scene in the vehicle and the male shooter, later identified as 20-year-old John Michael Matthews-Hackett of Hagerstown, fled on foot. “During the investigation, it was determined that a separate, uninvolved vehicle in the parking lot was struck by gunfire,” the report said.

“Officers began tracking the shooter’s movements using city surveillance video but were unable to determine his final location. However, they were able to positively identify him based on the video footage,” said HPD Lt. Fetchu. “Through the investigation, officers and detectives learned he was in a vehicle. He was then stopped in that vehicle in the 100 block of N. Potomac St. He was arrested without incident at approximately 2 p.m.”

Lt. Rebecca Fetchu tells the Panhandle News Network that investigators believe Matthews-Hackett just happened to be next to the women and they didn't know each other. The women had recently argued with the driver of the Toyota. The driver then hit the women with the bumper of his vehicle and fled.

Matthews-Hackett, who was standing near where the women were hit, produced a handgun and fired a round. None of the women required medical attention.

Matthews-Hackett was charged with attempted 1st and 2nd degree murder, 1st and 2nd degree assault, reckless endangerment and numerous handgun violations