Teen Charged With Murder In Shooting Outside Mall In Columbia: Police

COLUMBIA, MD — An 18-year-old is charged with murder after a shooting outside a Columbia mall left one boy dead and another critically wounded, according to police.

Emmetson Zeah of Columbia was arrested overnight and faces charges of first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder, Howard County police said, adding he is being held without bail in county jail.

Officers responded shortly before 6 p.m. Saturday 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 Roberston 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 Sunday, police said.

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. Zeah was also charged with attempted first-degree murder in a Feb. 14 shooting in the 10200 block of Twin Rivers Road in Columbia, police said, adding nobody was hit in that incident.

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