Crime
16-year-old Jaylen Rushawn Prince charged with murder of 15-year-old Joppatowne High School student Warren Curtis Grant
September 7, 2024, Joppatowne, MD – At approximately 12:36 p.m., Deputies from the Harford County Sheriff’s Office Southern Precinct were dispatched to Joppatowne High School for an active assailant. A Sheriff’s Office School Resource Officer assigned to the school was in the school and immediately responded to identify and address the threat.
Patrol deputies and law enforcement support from allied agencies began to arrive within two minutes, entered the school forming contact teams to search for the assailant. Students evacuated a 15-year-old Joppatowne High School student suffering from a gunshot wound from the interior of the school to the school entry where school nurses, staff, and students provided care and support.
County medics took over medical care and transferred the student to Maryland State Police Medics who transported him by helicopter to John Hopkins Bayview Hospital. Unfortunately, the student, Warren Curtis Grant, 15, of Edgewood, succumbed to his injuries after arrival.
Harford County Sheriff’s Office deputies supported by dozens of allied law enforcement officers, from the Maryland State Police, Baltimore County Police, Bel Air, Aberdeen, and Havre de Grace Police Departments, the Maryland Transportation Authority Police, the Maryland National Resources Police, and the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms and the Homeland Security and Investigations secured the school and surrounding areas, conducted a methodical search for additional victims and those who sheltered in place, began evacuations with the help of staff and worked with Harford County Department of Emergency Services to initiate reunification protocols.
Detectives from the Criminal Investigations Division initiated an investigation. Detectives leveraged technology and a person who was believed to be the assailant was identified. This information was provided to law enforcement canvasing the neighborhoods around the school.
A short time later, 12:50 p.m., citizens contacted the Emergency Operations Center reporting a suspicious subject attempting to break into a house.
Deputies in the area, searching for the suspect, immediately responded and took the individual, Jaylen Rushawn Prince, 16, of Edgewood, into custody at 12:52 p.m. Prince is a student at Joppatowne High School.
The arrest was made without incident.
Reunification of students was completed at 3:28 p.m.
Mr. Prince has been charged as an adult with Murder, first and second-degree assault, and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony/crime of violence. He is currently being held in the Harford County Detention Center. He is awaiting his initial appearance before a judicial officer.
The events leading up to the incident and the relationship between the victim and the suspect remains under investigation. However, information indicates Mr. Grant and Mr. Prince were known to each other prior to the shooting. As of this writing, it is not believed that there are any outstanding suspects or that there is an on-going threat to the community or Joppatowne High School.
While an arrest has been made, Sheriff’s detectives are continuing their investigation. No further information is being released at this time. Anyone with information about this crime is asked to contact Detective Ross, with the Harford County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division at 443-409-3555.
ST. LOUIS, MO — The St. Louis Circuit Attorney’s Office has filed formal charges against 46-year-old Bessie Thomas in connection with the fatal shooting of 36-year-old Rita Williams, which occurred Thursday afternoon at a QuikTrip gas station located in the 900 block of South Vandeventer Avenue.
Thomas faces multiple charges, including First-Degree Murder, Armed Criminal Action, and Unlawful Possession of a Firearm.
Authorities confirmed that Thomas and Williams were known to each other, and the tragic incident stemmed from a personal dispute that escalated into violence.
Officers from the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department responded to reports of gunfire around 5:00 p.m.
Upon arrival, they discovered Williams suffering from critical gunshot wounds. Despite the life-saving efforts of first responders, Williams was pronounced dead at the scene.
Williams, a mother of four, has been remembered by family and friends as a loving and devoted parent whose untimely death has left a profound void in the lives of those who knew her.
Thomas was apprehended shortly after the incident and is currently in custody as the investigation continues.
Detectives are working diligently to gather additional evidence and interview witnesses to fully understand the circumstances that led to the shooting.
The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department urges anyone with information related to this case to come forward.
Tips can be submitted directly to the department or anonymously through CrimeStoppers. Community cooperation is vital in ensuring justice for the Williams family and holding those responsible accountable.