Tested by tragedy once again; Mervo football prepares to return to the field on Friday

Patrick Nixon felt a positive energy around Mervo High during the school day last Friday.

“Everybody was excited about the first game,” said Nixon, the school’s football coach and athletic director. “It could not have been a better first week of school.”

But gunshots marred the end of the Baltimore City school’s opening week. Jeremiah Brogden, 17, was gunned down as classes let out for the Labor Day weekend.

RELATED: Student, 17, shot and killed during dismissal at Mervo High School in Baltimore, police report

Brogden, a junior, was a first-year varsity running back for the Mustangs’ football team. Their season-opening game at home against Edmondson, scheduled for later that evening, was postponed.

A 17-year old juvenile has been formally charged with first-degree murder in Brogden’s death. The suspect was apprehended by Baltimore City School Police after a chase, and on Tuesday was identified as a student of Achievement Academy at Harbor City High School at a bail review hearing where he was ordered detained.

Baltimore District Judge Theresa C. Morse on Tuesday ordered that the teen continue to be held without bail, describing the allegations as “particularly egregious.” He’s charged with first-and second-degree murder, first-and second-degree assault and use of a firearm during the commission of a crime of violence. The Baltimore Banner is not identifying the teen because he is a minor.

A pretrial services officer reported that the homicide was captured on video and that witnesses positively identified the teen. He has juvenile convictions from May for robbery, assault and handgun possession, according to testimony.

Nick Meriwether filled in at the hearing for his colleague, Roland Harris, who was in trial. Meriwether said the teen is in the 10th grade at the Achievement Academy at Harbor City High School and was pending a commitment to a juvenile facility. He asked for home detention or, alternatively, for the judge to allow the teen to be held in a juvenile facility while awaiting trial.

Outside the courtroom, Meriwether declined to comment.

Nixon said he met with the Mustang players, parents and coaches virtually on Sunday.

“It was very positive. We talked about the next steps and what can be learned from this senseless violence,” said Nixon. “We have to support one another.

Unfortunately, we have a playbook…we’ve been through this before.”

Nearly a year ago, Elijah Gorham, a senior wide receiver, returner and defensive back, suffered a brain injury after landing on the turf during a game. Gorham died several weeks later.

Nixon said Brogden’s death is “traumatic” to Mervo’s community.

“Several students witnessed it,” said Nixon, who said grief counselors will be in school Tuesday.

Nixon was preparing for the team’s pregame meal Friday afternoon when several students ran into the gym.

“Someone came running in saying ‘he wasn’t moving,’ I was thinking it was a fight. I ran outside and saw him laying there… I thought it was a member of the student body,” said Nixon. “I got close enough to roll him over and realized it was him.”

Nixon said Brodgen played on Mervo’s city championship junior varsity team last fall, and was a “big factor.”

“Jeremiah had ups and downs. He’s a superb athlete,” said Nixon. “Good kid who comes from a good family. Mom definitely did all she could to raise him. He wasn’t a perfect kid, but no kid is. He was definitely a good teammate.”

Nixon said the Mustangs plan to play Friday against City.

“We took a pulse of the room and the kids want to play because it would be therapeutic,” said Nixon.

Nixon admitted he came to terms with Gorham’s passing over the summer. Gorham’s mother talked to the football team Thursday after practice in advance of its season opener.

About 24 hours later, Mervo was dealing with another unexpected and tragic loss.

“It was just senseless. You’re wrapping your head around why this happened,” said Nixon. “We may never get those answers.”

The Mustangs rallied around Gorham’s passing, winning the school’s first state football championship (Class 4A/3A title).

Nixon said his staff and veteran players are ready to support each other and those coping with their latest loss.

“I don’t know how we’ll get through it other than try to do it together,” said Nixon. “It’s a long road.”

Dylan Segelbaum contributed to this article.

An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated that the suspect's case could be adjudicated in juvenile court. Under Maryland law, the case cannot be transferred to juvenile court if the alleged crime is first degree murder and the accused was 16 or 17 when the alleged crime was committed.