Teen Suspect At Large, 3 Others Arrested In January Fatal Shooting In Columbia

COLUMBIA, MD — Three people have been arrested in connection to the Jan. 14 fatal shooting of a teenager in a vehicle found parked in Columbia. However, the 16-year-old suspected shooter remains on the loose. A reward of up to $5,000 still is being offered for information that leads to his arrest.

Howard County Police say the fatal shooting of 17-year-old Lance Carrington appeared to have been a targeted attempted robbery. They continue to search for 16-year-old Jemik Parker, believed to be the shooter, who has been charged in a warrant as an adult with first- and second-degree murder.

Janae Baker, 18; Kendall Stagg, 18; and Charles Epperson Jr., 19; all of Columbia, were supposedly at the scene and have been charged with first- and second-degree murder. They were arrested and are being held at the Howard County Detention Center without bail, according to Howard County Police.

Detectives believe that the four suspects conspired to rob Carrington of a gun. When police found Carrington dead in a parked vehicle in the 6000 block of Helen Dorsey Way, they recovered a loaded handgun in his possession. Detectives stated they believe that Baker was in the vehicle with Carrington when Parker, Epperson Jr. and Stagg approached him. Parker supposedly shot Carrington before all four suspects fled, according to the police department.

Loved ones of Carrington created a GoFundMe with a goal of $12,000 to help with funeral expenses. Carrington leaves behind his parents; a sister, Sydney; a brother, Jordan; and his dog, Queen.

While Maryland state law typically does not allow a juvenile suspect’s identification to be released, even when charged as an adult, an exception exists “for the sole purposes of facilitating apprehension of a child and ensuring public safety” when a criminal arrest warrant is issued. Howard County police have identified Parker publicly because "his whereabouts remain unknown and he is considered a potential threat to the public due to the nature of his alleged crime."

Anyone with information should contact police at 410-313-STOP or HCPDCrimeTips@howardcountymd.gov. You can remain anonymous.