Government Grant

A Joppatowne High School student shot by a classmate Friday died at a hospital, Harford County Sheriff Jeff Gahler said. The sheriff identified the student who died as Warren Curtis Grant, 15, of Edgewood.”It’s a tragic day, four days into the school year,” Gahler said at a news conference.What happenedThe sheriff said calls started to come in around 12:36 p.m. Friday for an active shooting situation. The sheriff said it turned out the incident was not an active shooter situation. SkyTeam 11 reported at 12:45 p.m. that the school was being evacuated.The sheriff said a 16-year-old boy, for whom Friday was his first day at Joppatowne High School, shot a 15-year-old classmate in a bathroom. Gahler said it’s believed the victim was struck by a single gunshot.Gahler said school nurses attended to the victim, who was flown to a hospital.”Our hearts are breaking for the victim and the victim’s family, the circumstances are absolutely terrible, and this should not be happening in schools,” Harford County Public Schools Superintendent Sean Bulson said.16-year-old taken into custodyThe sheriff said the 16-year-old boy fled the school and was apprehended within minutes at a nearby apartment complex, but a weapon has yet to be recovered. SkyTeam 11 video showed authorities taking a person into custody on Riley Court.The sheriff said the teenager will be charged as an adult, and a motive remains unknown.SkyTeam 11 video below: Teen taken into custody after school shootingThe sheriff said the 16-year-old boy was previously known to law enforcement: “I know that he’s not unknown to us, but I don’t know whether that means he has a juvenile record. We have calls for service that have involved him in the past, I do know that.”On Saturday, the sheriff’s office identified the teen arrested as Jaylen Rushawn Prince, 16, of Edgewood, saying he was charged as an adult with murder, first and second-degree assault, and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony/crime of violence. He remained held at the Harford County Detention Center.Investigators said the suspect and victim knew each other before the shooting, and that it’s believed there are no other suspects or ongoing threats. Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Ross at 443-409-3555.The sheriff said there have been 10 instances in which the suspect has been the victim, witness or suspect in other investigations.Heavy emergency responseThe sheriff said the principal, who heard the resulting commotion, and the school resource officer responded immediately.”The system worked and it worked in this instance, the sad part is that we’re discussing a school shooting at all,” Gahler said.Video below: Sheriff’s news conference at 4:30 p.m.The sheriff said the first outside deputy arrived at the school within two minutes and upwards of 100 officers were at the school within 15 minutes from Baltimore County, the Maryland Transportation Authority, Maryland Natural Resources police, area municipal police officers as well as the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.The ATF posted on X that its agents are assisting the sheriff’s office and that “there are no outstanding threats at the school at this time.”SkyTeam 11 video showed a heavy response from the sheriff’s office, firefighters and paramedics from the Joppa-Magnolia Volunteer Fire Co. at the school.Reunification center set up at nearby churchThe sheriff’s office said a reunification center was set up for parents to pick up their children at Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church (622 Joppa Farm Road, Joppatowne). Harford County opened its non-emergency information hotline, 410-838-5800, for parents/guardians looking for information about their students at Joppatowne High School.Video below: Sheriff’s news conference at 2:45 p.m.Road closuresHarford County emergency officials said the following roads in the Joppatowne area are expected to remain closed for hours as the investigation continues.Falconer Road at Joppa Farm RoadJoppa Farm Road at Joppatowne High SchoolTowne Center Drive at Bridge DriveAdditionally, traffic control units are being posted at the following intersections.U.S. Route 40 at Joppa Farm RoadJoppa Farm Road at Haslett RoadJoppa Farm Road at Shore DriveMotive unknownA motive remains unknown. The sheriff pointed to recent changes in state law governing juvenile justice reform that he said preclude deputies from speaking with the 16-year-old boy.”This is a 16-year-old suspect that we are now not allowed to talk to. So, as far as trying to get some information to our detectives … as to why, we’re not allowed to ask the suspect in this case,” Gahler said. “We’ve talked to the state’s attorney and we do have sufficient information that he will be charged in association with the shooting without the need to be interviewed, overwhelming evidence, if you will, but the investigation is ongoing.””We are just devastated to be a part of this awful group of schools to have experienced things like this, and we’re going to do everything we can to make sure this absolutely never happens again,” Bulson said.Earlier in the afternoon, a Harford County Public Schools spokeswoman told 11 News that the following message was sent to families:”This is an important message for our Joppatowne High School community. The Harford County Sheriff’s Office has responded to the school for an isolated incident on campus today. There was a fight on campus to known parties. A weapon was brought onto campus and used in the incident. The HCSO and HCPS are working together to get this information to you. Please continue to follow the HCSO Facebook page for updates on their investigation.”When asked about how the student could have come into possession of a gun, Gahler said, in part: “We need parents to be parents, as in any situation, to know what their kids are up to.”Video below: Students recount traumatizing moments after school shootingHarford County Executive Bob Cassilly issued a statement later Friday, saying:”On Tuesday, many of us joined the Joppatowne High School community to welcome students back for the first day of school. Now, three days later, we returned to the school to mourn the senseless loss of a young life.”Harford County is shocked and saddened by the terrible act of violence committed by one student against another, resulting in the death of 15-year-old Warren Curtis Grant. I would like to thank our first responders, courageous school staff and the community members who came together to render aid to the victim and to assist law enforcement. Our hearts are broken for Warren’s family and friends as we pray for healing and peace in our community.”Gov. Wes Moore released a statement after the shooting, saying: “The First Lady and I are heartbroken for the Joppatowne community as we grieve the loss of a life cut short. Maryland prays for the young victim of this senseless act, Warren Curtis Grant as well as his family, friends, teachers, mentors, and loved ones.”We are thankful to local authorities, the Maryland State Police, first responders, school staff, and many other leaders for their swift response. I’ve been in touch with Harford County Executive Bob Cassilly, and our administration stands ready to lend full support to authorities as they conduct a thorough investigation into this matter. “Every Marylander deserves to feel safe at school. Our administration will continue to support families, grassroots leaders, local law enforcement, and all of our partners as we work together to keep our schools, our communities, and our entire state safe. May we always remember our solemn obligation to build a better future for our children.”