Teen Killed, Mother Wounded in Ellicott City Home; Shooter Attempted Suicide: Police

ELLICOTT CITY, MD — A teenage girl was killed and her mother was injured early Sunday morning, and the suspect reportedly attempted suicide, according to Howard County Police.

Officers responded to a report of shots fired around 2 a.m. inside a home in the 4800 block of Knoll Glen Road.

They found 16-year-old Charlotte Zaremba suffering from a gunshot wound. She was transported to Howard County General Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

The girl's mother, Suzanne Zaremba, 52, suffered a gunshot wound that was not life threatening and she was transported for treatment and released, according to police.

An unidentified white male suspect, possibly between 16 and 20 years old, was found inside the girl's bedroom, apparently suffering from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.

"Police do not know the suspect’s identity or if he has any connection to anyone in the household," according to a police statement. "He is in critical condition at Shock Trauma with life-threatening injuries."

Suzanne Zaremba reportedly heard a scuffle in her daughter's bedroom around 2 a.m. She entered and found the male suspect, who shot her, then Charlotte Zaremba and then shot himself, according to police. The motive is not known.

Another family member was home at the time of the shooting, but was in another area of the house and was not injured.

Police are continuing to investigate. Anyone with information should contact police at 410-313-STOP or HCPDcrimetips@howardcountymd.gov.

Patch file photo