An elderly woman at a Rockville assisted-living facility and her husband were fatally shot Monday, in what authorities said was a murder-suicide that startled the quiet retirement community. Montgomery County police said 74-year-old Sandra Ballard and 80-year-old Albert Ballard were found dead at the National Lutheran Home & Village at Rockville senior living community at about 10 a.m. Monday.
Sandra Ballard was receiving sub-acute rehabilitation services — a short-term physical and occupational therapy program — at the center, spokeswoman Courtney Malengo said.
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Albert Ballard signed in to visit his wife, which he did frequently, at about 9:30 a.m. Monday, according to a statement from National Lutheran chief executive Lawrence Bradshaw. Officials said a nurse heard shots fired from Sandra Ballard’s room; the nurse then found the couple dead.
Police said a firearm was recovered inside the room, and investigators believe it was the weapon used in the two shootings. Police would not say how many shots were fired.
Officials would not disclose who fired the gun. A police spokeswoman said Monday evening the department is still waiting for the medical examiner’s report.
Initial reports from the scene indicated that an electrocution had occurred, but that did not happen, said Frank McGovern, the Village at Rockville’s executive director.
The shootings rattled the bucolic retirement community, which is located at 9701 Veirs Drive. Residents on the quiet campus said they were bewildered by the news that such a violent event happened there.
“It’s a very loving community,” said Nancy Birner, a five-year resident of a cottage there. She said that she and others were “shocked” by the tragedy.
Betty Arozian, a cottage resident whose husband is a patient at the facility, called the double shooting concerning.
“You just don’t expect something like that to happen here,” she said.
Bradshaw called the incident “unfortunate and isolated.” Grief counselors were available at the facility for residents and staff members.
Malengo said nothing like Monday’s events had happened in the community’s 121-year history.
“We’ve never experienced a tragedy like this,” she said.
Neighbors of the couple’s Rockville home described them as friendly and kind, but said Sandra Ballard struggled after she suffered a fall this spring at home.
“She was very personable; that’s why when she fell it was so hard on her, because she was so vivacious,” neighbor Kristl Webb said.
Webb said Sandra Ballard was outgoing and bubbly. Her husband was quiet but had some close friends, Webb said.
Detectives are still investigating what sparked the murder-suicide, police said. Anyone with information is asked to call 240-773-5070.
Staff writer Rachel Baye and intern Leigh Giangreco contributed to this report.
