Suspect Violated Home Monitoring Day Before Deadly Shooting Outside Mall: Report

COLUMBIA, MD — The 18-year-old suspect in custody for a double shooting that happened outside Columbia Mall Saturday night violated his home monitoring the day before the deadly incident.

Shortly before 6 p.m. Saturday, Howard County police officers were called to a parking lot and bus area outside Lidl at the Mall in Columbia in the 10300 block of Little Patuxent Parkway, where they found 16-year-old Michael Robertson of Columbia, who was pronounced dead at the scene, according to police. Blake McCray, 15, of Columbia, was taken to the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center and was in critical condition as of Monday, police said.

Authorities have identified the suspect as 18-year-old Emmetson Zeah, who is now facing murder charges. Detectives believe Zeah targeted the victims but his motive was unclear, according to police, who said they found a gun and clothing Zeah wore during the shooting at his home.

FOX45 reported that according to public records, Zeah was charged with violating his home monitoring the day before the double shooting.

Zeah was placed on home detention Jan. 8 after being arrested in December. He also faces charges of attempted murder for a separate shooting that happened just blocks from the mall on Feb. 14.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 410-313-7867 or hcpdcrimetips@howardcountymd.gov, according to authorities, who said tipsters can remain anonymous.