Teen Killed In Targeted Shooting Near Baltimore County School: Police

Last updated Tuesday at 6:48 p.m.

LANSDOWNE, MD — Police said a 16-year-old boy was fatally shot Tuesday during a foot chase that started outside in a shopping center and ended outside Lansdowne High School, sparking a lockdown.

Officers have not identified the victim or the suspect, but they said they have strong video evidence that should help them identify the unknown shooter who fled the scene.

The victim attended Lansdowne High, but he didn't go to school on Tuesday.

"My heart goes out to the family of this young man, and I would just like to offer prayers for him and his family, and it’s a horrific incident that has happened here in Baltimore County, and what else can I say? It’s just a sad, sad day," County Executive Kathy Klausmeier said at a press conference.

Detectives think this was a targeted and isolated shooting. There was no threat to the students inside the school.

"There were other individuals standing out front ... The suspect in this case clearly targeted the victim," Baltimore County Police Chief Robert McCullough said. "School had already been dismissed. … There were some students in the school, but they were never in any type of danger."

Authorities said the shooting happened around 2:37 p.m., about 20 minutes after school dismissed.

McCullough said the suspect exited the passenger side of a vehicle in the shopping center in the 3900 block of Hollins Ferry Road, approached the victim and opened fire.

Police said the victim ran toward Lansdowne High, and the suspect chased him.

Officers said the suspect shot the victim while on school property, and the victim collapsed outside Lansdowne High.

The suspect then approached the victim and shot him a few more times before fleeing in the suspect vehicle, authorities said.

Medics took the victim to a hospital, where McCullough said the boy died from his injuries.

"This is a tragic incident — a young man taken too soon," District 1 County Council Member Pat Young said. "We have to do better and engage with our juvenile students [and] make sure that the opportunities they have lead beyond this."

Police didn't give any specifics on the suspect, who they only called a "younger individual." Officers also didn't describe the getaway vehicle. Authorities said they didn't want to compromise the investigation.

The Baltimore County Police Department asked anybody with information to call 410-307-2020.

"We do have plenty of video evidence and a good suspect description," McCullough said, noting that the school's surveillance cameras provided key footage.

McCullough said his detectives had previously interacted with the victim and were familiar with him.

"We immediately activated our lockdown protocol and contacted Baltimore County police," Lansdowne High School Principal Allison Seymour said in a Tuesday afternoon letter to families. "All afterschool and evening activities at Lansdowne High School are canceled."

Seymour later confirmed the victim was a Lansdowne student and said, "Our thoughts are with the student’s family, friends, and loved ones."

"While most students were dismissed for the day, some students were on campus when this incident occurred, and we know what they witnessed was traumatizing. Our counselors, as well as additional LHS student support services staff, will work closely with staff from the BCPS Department of Student Services to speak with students and staff and provide support as we collectively process what occurred. We also will have additional police officers working alongside our SRO, Officer Brian Hafer, for the next few days to provide additional support," Seymour said in an evening letter.