In the quiet community of Pomfret, Maryland, a late-night tragedy unfolded, leaving a family shattered and a neighborhood in disbelief. On the night of August 2, 2019, 53-year-old Gregory Bruce Pickeral, a local businessman known for his congeniality, was fatally shot in his home. His wife of many years, Vickie Danita Pickeral, age 54, was also killed in the violent encounter. The couple, who were high school sweethearts, had built a life together filled with love for their children and grandchildren.
The perpetrator of this devastating act was identified as their son-in-law, 42-year-old Mark McKinley Hughes Jr. of Indian Head. For reasons that authorities believe stemmed from domestic turmoil with his wife, the Pickerals' daughter, Hughes drove to their Bensville Road residence and opened fire. The violence did not end with the deaths of Gregory and Vickie Pickeral.
Shortly after the initial shooting, a car carrying Hughes's own 11-year-old son and the boy's aunt arrived at the home. Hughes then fired upon the vehicle, injuring his son.
In a desperate act of survival, the young boy fled the scene and managed to find help at a nearby convenience store, from where 911 was called. He was subsequently transported to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The woman driving the vehicle was also injured but not by gunfire. Following the shootings, Hughes fled the scene in the Pickerals' car.
The tragic evening came to a final, grim conclusion a short time later in La Plata. Law enforcement, responding to a report of a single-vehicle accident, discovered Hughes deceased inside the stolen car from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. A gun was recovered from the vehicle. The investigation concluded that the incident was a domestic-related double murder-suicide, leaving a family and community to mourn the profound loss of Gregory and Vickie Pickeral.
