Washington, D.C., Suspect Enters Plea In 2020 Fatal Shooting In Columbia Mall Parking Lot

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — A 21-year-old Washington, D.C., man has pleaded guilty to a murder charge for the fatal shooting of Anthony Patterson, 20, of Owings Mills.

On Dec. 4, 2020, Howard County Police received a call just before 10:30 p.m. for a report of a shooting in The Columbia Mall parking lot in front of an entertainment venue. When officers arrived, they found Patterson lying on the ground with a gunshot wound. Police learned that Patterson had exchanged words with Charles Thomas Busey, of Washington, D.C., outside the venue.

As Patterson and his friends drove out of the parking lot, Angelo Deans fired shots at the vehicle, hitting the vehicle and killing Patterson. After firing additional rounds, Deans got into Busey’s vehicle and Busey drove off. There is no indication that Patterson knew Deans or Busey before the incident, police disclosed.

Busey pleaded guilty to accessory after the fact-murder-2nd degree and a firearm-related charge for his role in the incident and was sentenced to 10 years of prison. Deans will be sentenced Nov. 25.