That is, until now.
"There was a murder here down in Chesapeake City like 10 years ago,” said longtime resident John Honaker, “Some doctor got killed, but other than that... no, it's a quiet town."
Just beyond the outskirts of town in the week hours of the morning Wednesday, the sound of gunshots pierced that silence here at the family home of 40-year old Terri Ann McCoy.
By the time Cecil County Sheriff’s deputies arrived on the scene, armed intruders had made their getaway… leaving the dying woman behind.
"Upon arrival, they went inside the residence and observed a female suffering from multiple gunshot wounds,” said Cecil County Sheriff’s Sgt. Michael Holmes, “The female, at that point, received medical treatment and was later transported to Christiana Hospital in Delaware where she was pronounced deceased."
Police say the suspects broke into the house where McCoy and a number of family members were sleeping to rob them.
"They displayed handguns and made threats to the individuals who were inside,” said Holmes, “Some of the family members were confronted by these subjects."
"Did they conceal their faces?"
"We're not going to comment on that at this time."
Investigators say a number of items are missing from the house leaving little doubt in the minds of some residents what’s really behind the violence.
"They'll do anything for drugs,” said Roy Taylor of nearby Norwick, “They'll kill you for five dollars."
Deputies are now running routine patrols by the victim’s home… mindful that those who survived are living in fear with the killers still on the loose.
The Crouch Funeral Home in North East will be handling the funeral services for McCoy on Sunday.
