Off-duty Carroll County, MD, Fire Apparatus Driver Charged in Double Shooting

Maryland State Police charged a Carroll County Department of Fire and EMS employee in a shooting outside Eldersburg’s Amante Pizza & Pasta that left two people critically wounded.

Matthew Hanks, 52, of Sykesville, was charged with two counts of first-degree assault. Hanks has worked with the county fire department as a fire apparatus driver operator since January 2025, county spokesperson Christine Cambareri said.

According to charging documents, investigators believe that at about 9:30 p.m. Friday, Hanks entered into an argument with Brooks Sandoval, 60, of Hampstead, and David Hopwood, 50, of Sykesville, inside the restaurant. They then moved outside, where the three engaged in a physical altercation, the documents allege. Sandoval and Hopwood were both shot and later transported to the hospital in critical condition, according to the documents.

Witnesses described Hanks as “heavily intoxicated,” police said.

After law enforcement arrived, Hanks told a responding officer that he shot Sandoval and Hopwood and informed them that a Glock 27 handgun was inside a golf cart glove box, charging documents say. Hanks later told police he shot Sandoval in self-defense but did not think he shot Hopwood, according to the documents.

As of Monday, court records show no attorney listed for Hanks.

Hanks was held without bail Monday, with a preliminary hearing set for May 21. He was also charged with two misdemeanor firearm charges, including possessing or carrying a handgun while under the influence and using a firearm in a felony or violent crime.

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