[Baltimore Sun] Teen charged in Columbia murder appears in court; Howard school community responds to arrest
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An Ellicott City teen appeared in court for the first time Wednesday, facing a first-degree murder charge in the shooting death of a 26-year-old Baltimore man last week in Columbia.
A Howard County judge denied the teen’s bail and ruled his case will remain in adult court due to the violent nature of the charges.
Police have not named the 17-year-old suspect, who was arrested at Howard High School Tuesday with a loaded gun in his backpack, according to a Howard County Police news release. He was charged in the death of Kendrick McLellan, who was found dead in a car parked at a Columbia office building on Oct. 12.
According to a FOX45 report, state prosecutors revealed in court that this was not the 17-year-old’s first run-in with the law. Howard County Police confirmed he was wearing an ankle monitor and was under the supervision of the Department of Juvenile Services for an attempted murder charge in Anne Arundel County. State prosecutors said the victim in that case suffered through several surgeries, spent months in the hospital, and is lucky to be alive.
FOX45 also spoke exclusively with McLellan’s mother. She asked to keep her name private as the case continues to raise public safety concerns.
“They’re not doing their job. These kids are just running wild with no supervision,” the mother told FOX45. “They get put on a monitor, that’s a slap on the wrist and a second chance, but these kids don’t want a second chance. They parents ain’t doing nothing. They not being concerned about it. If they doing a crime, they need to do the time.”
The charging documents for the 17-year-old suspect remain sealed.
Howard High School returned to a “positive and productive learning environment” Wednesday, according to a statement from the school’s principal.
“What we experienced yesterday, and certainly the news that was reported to us by police, is upsetting, and I can personally empathize with students, staff, and family members who are asking how we can ensure a safe school environment,” Principal Steven Fleming said in an email to the school community.
Howard County State’s Attorney Rich Gibson also released a statement about the arrest, saying it had a “profound impact” on the community.
“In response, we have assigned a senior prosecutorial team to handle this case and are committed to seeking justice for the victim,” Gibson said in a statement.
Gibson said his office would not make further comment on the case to ensure the integrity of the judicial process.
Howard County Public School System Superintendent Bill Barnes said in a statement that questions raised by this incident “deserve answers,” and that the school system is preparing to address them publically.
“This is an exceedingly frightening series of events, and I share many of the concerns and questions being expressed by stakeholders,” Barnes said in the statement.
Barnes said HCPSS is working with county government and police on methods to bolster school security measures. His main focus is on the needs of Howard High students and staff who need their sense of security in school restored, he said.
The school carried on with the PSAT and the freshman assembly Wednesday, and its crisis team was available to support and assist students and staff, according to Fleming. A message was sent to students to “reassure them” of efforts around safety at the school and its commitment to a safe environment.
Barnes said he would work to provide clarity on how the school system and community can work together to address school safety, reminding individuals to report suspicious behaviors.
“A safety plan and timely communications are essential components to successfully maintaining safe school communities, but it takes thoughtful and constant actions by all stakeholders and community partners to establish and maintain learning environments where students and staff are safe,” Barnes stated.
FOX45 reporter Rebecca Pryor contributed to this story.
Got a news tip? Contact Kiersten Hacker at khacker@baltsun.com or @KierstenHacker on X.
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