A 16-year-old was arrested on Wednesday morning in the fatal shooting of two siblings, ages 15 and 9, inside their Gwynn Oak home earlier this month, authorities said Wednesday evening.
The male suspect, who is from West Baltimore, has been charged as an adult with the homicide of both victims, said Baltimore County Police Chief Robert McCullough. He said the suspect knew the victims.
McCullough identified the suspect by name at a news conference. The Baltimore Banner is not identifying him because he is a juvenile.
Both 15-year-old Giovanna Myrie and her brother, 9-year-old Steve Allen, were found dead from gunshot wounds at the home around 7:20 p.m. on July 7, according to a news release from the police department. Authorities said their parents had called 911.
Baltimore County officials and police leaders made the announcement shortly before a town hall meeting in Randallstown, and one day after a funeral Mass was held for the two children at St. Casimir Church on O’Donnell Street in Baltimore.
McCullough, flanked by Councilman Julian Jones and County Executive Kathy Klausmeier, said that the suspect’s bail was denied at a hearing on Wednesday. He couldn’t confirm whether the 15-year old victim and the teenage suspect were dating.
“I know it took much longer than I wanted it to. However, we have to make sure that we put together a very airtight case, considering the age of the suspect,” he said.
Jones said he was “taken back” by the fact that a 16-year-old had a gun and “the propensity to actually murder someone.”
“So this is an absolute sad day for all of us here, and our community, and our country, that this type of violence takes place and is being perpetrated by young people,” he said.
A solemn McCullough told reporters on the night of the shooting that such a crime, with two children shot in their home, was “something that doesn’t happen in this community here.”
“I’ve seen a lot of things in my career,” he said. “But this is something that’s horrific. It’s tragic.”
This story will be updated.
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