Schools Closed As Community Mourns Student's Fatal Shooting, Counseling Available

HARFORD COUNTY, MD — Joppatowne High School is closed Monday through Wednesday this week while Magnolia Middle, Magnolia Elementary, Joppatowne Elementary and Riverside Elementary schools are closed on Monday after a student fatally shot a classmate Friday afternoon in a high school bathroom.

“The tragic events of Friday have taken an emotional toll on this community and there is a need for time and space to heal,” Harford County Public Schools said in a statement.

Counseling staff and meal services will be available to students from the Joppatowne community, school officials announced Sunday night. There will be no before or after care and no after school activities Monday for the middle and elementary schools, and no after school activities through Wednesday at the high school.

On Saturday, Jaylen Rushawn Prince, 16, of Edgewood, was taken into custody by Harford County deputies. Authorities said he fatally shot 15-year-old Warren Curtis Grant of Edgewood Friday afternoon during a fight in a school bathroom. 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, authorities said.

A vigil was held Sunday to remember Grant and those in attendance were asked to wear blue, his favorite color. Some left behind flowers and balloons at the school to honor Grant.

“Of course, it’s definitely hard,” freshman Keon Stewart told The Baltimore Banner. “Something happens on your first four days of high school. It’s been kind of sad. One of the students — he’s actually my neighbor — he helped bring him out of the bathroom and tried to help him stay alive.”

Counseling services will be available to students and staff on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday at the following locations:

• Windsor Valley Community Center (10 a.m.-3 p.m.), 570 Meadowood Drive, Edgewood, MD, 21040
• Edgewood Boys and Girls Club (10 a.m.-3 p.m.), 2002 Cedar Drive, Edgewood, MD, 21040
• Edgewood EPI Center (10 a.m.-2 p.m.), 1918 Pulaski Highway, Edgewood, MD, 21040

Because buildings are closed Monday, students from Riverside Elementary School, Joppatowne Elementary School, Magnolia Elementary School, Magnolia Middle School and Joppatowne High School can pick up a bagged lunch at Magnolia Middle School and Mariner Point Park on Monday between 12 p.m. and 1 p.m.

On Tuesday, students from Joppatowne High School can pick up two-day meal kits at Joppatowne High School and the Windsor Valley Community Center between 12 p.m. and 1 p.m.

During a news conference held Friday after the shooting, officials said the two students fought in the bathroom right before the shooting. Grant was shot once, Harford County Sheriff Jeffrey Gahler said, but officers had not yet found the weapon. A school resource officer was in the building when the shot was fired, and a second officer was on the scene within two minutes. More than 100 first responders had arrived within 15 minutes.

The school’s principal and resource officer heard a commotion in the first floor men’s bathroom, but did not hear the gunshot, Gahler said. The shooting happened shortly after 12:30 p.m. in a first-floor men's restroom after classes had dismissed during passing time, so the hallways were full of students, Harford County Public Schools Superintendent Sean Bulson said during the news conference.

The suspect fled the school and was arrested at a nearby home after numerous calls to 911 reported him banging on windows and doors trying to enter houses, Gahler said. It was noted that the day of the shooting was the suspected shooter's first day at that school despite school having started earlier in the week.

Prince is currently being held at the Harford County Detention Center and is awaiting his initial court appearance.

Related:

Student Fatally Shot At Joppatowne HS Identified, Teen Suspect Faces Adult Charges

Teen Charged With Murder After Joppatowne High School Shooting