Three workers were critically injured in a workplace shooting in Manassas, Virginia, Wednesday morning, prompting nearby schools to briefly lock down as police searched for the suspected gunman.

Manassas Police Chief Doug Keen said officers responded at about 7 a.m. to multiple 911 calls reporting an active shooter at the United Rentals facility at 9415 Wellington Road.

“When officers arrived on the scene, they found three victims on site,” Keen said. “All three were employees of United Rental. All three are in critical condition.”

Two of the victims were taken to Prince William Medical Center, while the third was transported to Inova Fairfax Hospital. Police said all three victims are adult men.

Investigators identified the suspected shooter as Marvin Grant, who Keen said is also an employee of United Rentals.

Police said Grant fled in a gray Toyota with temporary North Carolina plates. Investigators believe he has left the immediate area.

“At this point, we do not believe the suspect, Mr. Grant, is in the area,” Keen said. “We believe he has fled out of the Northern Virginia area.”

Police have issued an alert for Grant to law enforcement agencies across Virginia and are working with state and federal partners to locate him.

Keen described the shooting as a workplace violence incident. Investigators are still trying to determine what led to the gunfire.

“Our working theory is that there was some kind of altercation that led to this,” Keen said.

Police believe a handgun was used. Keen said there were “many shots fired,” though investigators had not yet determined how many.

Two of the victims were in the garage area when the shooting happened, Keen said. The third came from an office area into the garage.

Video from inside the United Rentals facility is also being reviewed as part of the investigation.

The police response initially restricted access to Wellington Road and the Route 28 Bypass and affected nearby schools.

Jennie Dean Elementary School students and staff were redirected to Metz Middle School while police secured the area. Keen said schools in the area were initially placed on lockdown as a precaution.

The lockdowns have since been lifted, and Keen said Dean Elementary had returned to normal operations.

Police said Grant has a North Carolina address and investigators are working with United Rentals to determine whether he also has a local address.

Police are asking anyone who sees Grant or his vehicle not to approach him and to call 911.

This is a developing story. Stay with WTOP for the latest.

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