Crime
15-year-old Warren Grant, Joppatowne High School student killed after being shot in the chest
A tragic incident occurred at Joppatowne High School, resulting in the death of a 15-year-old student. Harford County Sheriff Jeff Gahler identified the victim as Warren Curtis Grant, of Edgewood.
The shooting took place around 12:36 PM, prompting a response from law enforcement. While initial reports suggested an active shooter situation, authorities later determined that the incident involved two students.
A 16-year-old classmate, who was on his first day at Joppatowne High School, fired a single gunshot at the 15-year-old victim in a school bathroom.
The victim was immediately attended to by school nurses and transported to a hospital, where they tragically succumbed to their injuries.
The Harford County Public Schools Superintendent, Sean Bulson, expressed deep sorrow for the victim’s family and the devastating circumstances surrounding the incident. He emphasized that such tragedies should never occur in schools.
The 16-year-old suspect fled the school after the shooting but was apprehended within minutes at a nearby apartment complex. However, the weapon used in the crime has yet to be recovered.
The suspect will be charged as an adult, and the motive for the shooting remains under investigation. The sheriff revealed that the suspect was known to law enforcement, having been involved in previous incidents. While the sheriff couldn’t confirm if the suspect had a juvenile criminal record, he acknowledged that there had been multiple reports and investigations involving the individual.
Harford County Executive Cassilly Statement on Joppatowne High School Shooting
Harford County Executive Bob Cassilly issued the following statement on today’s tragic shooting at Joppatowne High School.
“On Tuesday, many of us joined the Joppatowne High School community to welcome students back for the first day of school. Now, three days later, we returned to the school to mourn the senseless loss of a young life.
Harford County is shocked and saddened by the terrible act of violence committed by one student against another, resulting in the death of 15-year-old Warren Curtis Grant. I would like to thank our first responders, courageous school staff, and the community members who came together to render aid to the victim and to assist law enforcement. Our hearts are broken for Warren’s family and friends as we pray for healing and peace in our community.”
FAYETTE COUNTY, AL – Authorities have confirmed that human remains found in a burn pile at a rural Alabama home belong to 1-year-old Kahleb Collins, a toddler who had been missing since a fatal crash last year claimed the lives of his father and 2-year-old sister.
The confirmation was announced Thursday by Fayette County Sheriff Byron Yerby, marking a devastating development in a case that has gripped the community for months.
Kahleb had been unaccounted for since December 8, 2024, when a high-speed crash on County Road 73 near Glen Allen killed his father, 40-year-old Steven “Brad” Collins, and his sister, Ryleigh Collins, and critically injured his mother, 23-year-old Wendy “Pam” Bailey.
While initially believed to have possibly perished in the crash, Kahleb’s body was not found at the scene, prompting a months-long missing persons investigation.
Sheriff Yerby said investigators, aided by an anthropologist, recovered what appeared to be human remains during one of several searches at the family’s property in the Winfield area.
The sheriff did not specify when the remains were recovered, but stated that forensic testing had since confirmed them as those of Kahleb.
“This is a heartbreaking outcome, and our thoughts and prayers are with all those who loved Kahleb,” Yerby said. “While this discovery brings some closure, it also serves as a solemn reminder of the collective responsibility we all share in protecting our children. We remain fully committed to pursuing justice in this case.”
On April 15, 2025, a Fayette County grand jury issued indictments against Pam Bailey and her father, 55-year-old John Elton Bailey, in connection with Kahleb’s death and prior abuse allegations.
Pam Bailey has been charged with:
- Aggravated child abuse
- Four counts of first-degree domestic violence
- Abuse of a corpse
- Criminally negligent homicide (a misdemeanor, related to Ryleigh Collins’ death in the crash)
John Elton Bailey faces the following charges:
- Aggravated child abuse
- Four counts of first-degree domestic violence
- Abuse of a corpse
- Hindering prosecution
Both defendants resided at the family home and are accused of participating in or covering up the abuse and death of Kahleb.
The investigation began after the December 8 crash, in which Steven Collins was reportedly driving 92 mph—more than double the posted speed limit of 45 mph—when his truck lost control on a wet roadway. He and Pam Bailey were both ejected from the vehicle due to not wearing seatbelts. Their daughter, Ryleigh, was unrestrained in the back seat and pronounced dead at the scene.
Pam Bailey was airlifted to UAB Hospital, where authorities conducted multiple interviews. It was only days after the crash that law enforcement publicly revealed that Kahleb had been missing and launched a broader investigation. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) issued a missing child alert on December 9.
The case took a darker turn when court records revealed disturbing allegations of ongoing abuse. The Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR) had previously been involved with the family. Court filings indicate that Pam Bailey received text messages from Steven Collins in which he threatened to kill Kahleb and sent photos appearing to show the child bloodied, bruised, and bound.
One message allegedly read, “He won’t move. I’m so sorry.” This was followed by another: “He moving.” Bailey reportedly responded, “He just looks wore out and tired and hurt hopefully that’s all.”
The indictment against Pam Bailey also accuses her of physically abusing Kahleb, including striking him and tying him to a chair.
Both Pam Bailey and John Elton Bailey remain in custody. Authorities have not disclosed Kahleb’s exact cause of death, citing the ongoing nature of the investigation.
Anyone with information related to this case is urged to contact the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office.