16-year-old arrested for the deadly shooting of young siblings in Gwynn Oak, Maryland

A 16-year-old boy has been arrested for the shooting death of young siblings in Gwynn Oak, Maryland, Baltimore County Police Chief Robert McCullough announced on Wednesday.

Keith Maurice Jones Jr. is facing murder charges in the deaths of 9-year-old Steve Allen and his sister, 15-year-old Giovanna Myrie, who were fatally shot inside a home in the 6100 block of Talles Road on July 7.

Police said Jones, from Baltimore, was known to the siblings.

Jones was taken into custody on Wednesday after officers served him with an arrest warrant. He is being held at the Baltimore County Detention Center without bail.

"I would like to say how sad a day like today is," Baltimore County Executive Kathy Klaumeier said. "Please keep the families in your prayers. I am pleased that the police department did such a great, quick job on this part of the situation." 

Officers responded to the Baltimore County home around 7:30 p.m. and found the children dead from gunshot wounds. Police said the children's parents initially called 911 after finding the children dead.

"I am just taken back by the fact that young people, at the age of 16 years old, would not only have access to a gun but have the propensity to actually murder someone, murder two people," Baltimore City Councilmember Julian Jones said. "I want to thank our police department, who worked extremely hard every day to have a very high clearance rate in Baltimore County. We can't stop random acts of violence, but just trust and believe that when these violence are perpetrated here in Baltimore County, we will not leave any stones unturned before we make an arrest and take that person to justice.". 

Anyone with information is urged to call Baltimore County Police at 410-887-3943 or 410-887-3700, or Metro Crimestoppers at 1-866-7LOCKUP. A $2,000 reward is being offered for information that leads to an arrest and conviction.