Mom Accused Of Shooting 2 Teens After Her Son Was Robbed: Howard County Police

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — A Columbia mom has been charged in connection to the attempted murder of two teenagers outside the Giant Supermarket in Columbia in October.

Dieneba Sekou Traore, 47, sought justice for her teenage son, who was videotaped being beaten and robbed Oct. 7, 2024, according to defense attorney Latoya Francis Williams.

"She gave all of her information and Howard County decided that they were too busy," Williams told WBFF.

According to charging documents, detectives matched Traore's cellphone and white Mercedes SUV to the crime scene outside the Giant, WBFF reported. They have not identified the suspect who is believed to have fired 17 rounds at a group of teens, however.

The two teens injured outside the supermarket are not believed to be involved in the beating of Traore's son, according to WBAL.

Williams told reporters her client doesn't own a gun and denies being at the supermarket at the time of the shooting.

"She's been open and honest with law enforcement. She's been an open book and provided all the information she can provide and she gets hit like a ton of bricks," Williams told WBFF.

Investigators said surveillance video shows the mother at the location just before the shooting., WBAL reported.

Traore is being held without bond and faces several charges, including attempted first- and second-degree murder.