Police: Two Teen Shooting Suspects Charged As Adults

BALTIMORE (WJZ) --  Police say they have arrested two teen suspects for an armed robbery and shooting, with both being charged as adults.

Police says Tyler Richardson, who's 16 years old and Antonio Washington, who's 14 years old are now behind bars.

Police say in January, they approached a 30-year-old man on Wilkens Avenue and tried to rob him, but during the encounter, the victim was shot in the arm.

The teens now face several charges, including attempted first-degree murder and have been charged as adults.

"Unfortunately we have way too many of our young people who are choosing to participate in this kind of life and it's sad because someone could have died, and now their lives have been ruined forever for this if they are found guilty," says Baltimore City Councilman Brandon Scott.

Washington's mother tells WJZ, her son is a good child, who was at the wrong place at the wrong time, and she's remorseful.

Some in the community expressed concern.

"It's so much involved, you don't know where they come from, what their situation is, how they've been raised. I believe that maybe if they put more into counseling and different programs for the inner city children, instead of just locking them away, then they will have different results," says Jackie Sunstrom, from Baltimore.

But others want stricter punishment.

"Yeah, they should be charged as adults, definitely."

In December, police say two teens beat former councilwoman Rikki Spector, and earlier this month a group of teens was caught on camera assaulting a man downtown.
Police says they've seen an uptick in crime involving youth.

"We are seeing an increase in youth crimes. Unfortunately, I guess the lifestyle is being glorified for whatever reason and with that being said, we are finding more and more of our young people committing such crimes," says Detective Donny Moses, with Baltimore City Police.

Along with attempted first-degree murder, police say the teens face assault, robbery, and gun-related charges.

The teens are currently being held at central booking.

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