16-year-old's murder has Baltimore County community unsettled

A Baltimore County community is rattled after a shooting killed a 16-year-old Sunday afternoon behind an apartment complex.

Officers from the Wilkens Precinct were called around 2:10 p.m. to the 4000 block of Alan Drive in Arbutus, behind the Meadow Lane Apartments, where they found the teen with at least one gunshot wound. He died at the scene, according to police. 

According to the Baltimore County Crime Data, 13 people have been killed in the county in 2025.

Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call police at 410-887-4636 (INFO) or Metro Crime Stoppers at 1-866-756-2587 (7LOCKUP). 

Neighbor shares concerns

Sherry Somerville, who was walking her dog Monday while checking on her elderly mother who lives in the complex, said the violence came as a shock.

"Other than the summer, the kids are out playing and all, but I haven't experienced any bad things over here," Somerville said. 
"Concerns me, but that's not really anything I can do about it right now."

As detectives returned to the scene Monday to continue their investigation, Somerville said it was unsettling to hear about a homicide in the neighborhood.

"That's scary... it is, it's really scary when you don't hear that that often," she said.

Somerville said her mother was shaken by the murder.

"That scared her a little more since she's heard that," Somerville said. "More or less, I'd like her to keep everything locked up until somebody is there."

Property managers at the Meadow Lane Apartments told WJZ off-camera that neither the victim nor the suspects lived on the property. They said the community is typically quiet.

Dispatch audio captures the chaos

"Between the calling location and the apartment, there was a group of men, there was a gunshot, and they scattered," the dispatcher said.

When officers arrived, they found the teen dead from at least one gunshot wound.

"Five number one males are suspects in their twenties," dispatchers said. "Last seen going on foot toward the bridge. There is a gap between the buildings that some run through and towards."

Baltimore County grapples with youth gun violence

An 18-year-old was arrested last week for the 2024 murder of 17-year-old Nester Nunez in Reisterstown.

Police said Mehki Brown has been charged with first-degree murder.

Nunez was shot multiple times on June 9, 2024, in the 200 block of Hammershire Road.

"He always lit up a room anywhere he came into," said Chrisal Paguada. "When we found out we were, we were in shock. A respectable guy with a good heart."

Police said the investigation led to the search for a black sedan

Baltimore County officer recovering from shooting

In March, a police officer with the Wilkens Precinct was injured in a shooting in the parking lot in Catonsville.

Police said the alleged gunman walked into the precinct lobby near UMBC's campus. The man then walked around the building before coming across an officer at a gas pump, according to police. 

He then pulled out a handgun and fired shots at the officer. A shootout with other officers ensued, according to police.

An officer who was standing outside his vehicle was hit by gunfire. The alleged gunman was also shot and taken to a hospital in critical condition, police said. 

The police officer was released from Shock Trauma a few days later to finish recovery.

The alleged shooter was later identified as Baltimore City elementary school teacher Andrew Britt.

Baltimore County budget

Baltimore County Executive Kathy Klausmeier proposed a $4.8 billion budget on Friday.

According to The Baltimore Banner, the budget for Fiscal Year 2026 includes no property tax rate increases, no cuts to important programs, and nearly half a billion dollars in a "rainy day" fund for unanticipated expenses.

The county schools requested nearly $3 billion from the county. Although the school district won't receive the amount it requested, it will receive more than it did last year, according to the Banner.

According to the Banner, a large portion of the county's budget will be appropriated to the school district.