Teen School Shooting Suspect Denied Bail, Return To School Delayed At Joppatowne High

JOPPATOWNE, MD — A judge has denied bail for the teen suspect in last week's deadly shooting at Joppatowne High School.

Harford County deputies arrested 16-year-old Jaylen Prince shortly after they say he killed 15-year-old Warren Grant in a first floor school bathroom during a fight between the two that broke out Friday, Sept. 6. It was Prince's first day at the school even though school had started earlier that week.

Prince has been in custody since his arrest right after the shooting when numerous 911 calls came in that said he was running around banging on the windows and doors of homes near the school. He made his first appearance in court Monday, according to WBAL, and attended virtually from the Harford County Detention Center.

Prince was deemed a danger to the public by a district court judge and denied bail. He's charged with first-degree murder. Harford County State's Attorney Alison Healey told the judge during the trial that if Prince was let out on bail, the public would be in danger, WBAL reported.

During the bail hearing, prosecutors told the judge a search warrant had been executed at Prince's home and on his digital devices they found ammunition of the same caliber and brand used in the shooting and a photo on his cell phone of Prince posing with a gun on the day of the shooting.

The gun has yet to be located, the Harford County Sheriff's Office stated.

Prince's next court date is Sept. 19.

In the meantime, the return to school at Joppatowne High has been delayed. Students in 10th and 12th grades will return Thursday and dismiss three hours early. On Friday, all students will return to school and dismiss three hours early. On Monday, Sept. 16, all students will return to school for regular school hours.

During a news conference held after the shooting, officials said the suspect and the victim fought in the bathroom right before the shooting. The victim was shot once, Harford County Sheriff Jeffrey Gahler said, and a school resource officer was in the building when the shot was fired. 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.

There was an incident involving students at the high school that was reported to the sheriff's office Thursday, but Gahler said he couldn't confirm if it was related to Friday's shooting.

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.

Related:

• Student Fatally Shot At Joppatowne HS Identified, Teen Suspect Faces Adult Charges
• Teen Charged With Murder After Joppatowne High School Shooting
• Schools Closed As Community Mourns Student's Fatal Shooting, Counseling Available