HOWARD COUNTY, Md. — A second teenager has died following the February 22 double shooting outside the Mall in Columbia.
Blake McCray, 15, died Thursday, days after the first victim, 16-year-old Michael Robertson.
Howard County Public Schools confirmed McCray was a ninth-grade student at Oakland Mills High School.
Principal Jeffrey Fink issued a letter to parents and staff informing them of the tragic news.
"Many students and staff were hopeful for Blake’s recovery, making this news especially difficult for all of us," Fink wrote. "Blake’s death due to an act of violence is difficult to comprehend and may cause strong reactions, including concerns about community safety. I want to reassure you that the Howard County Police arrested a suspect in the shooting over the weekend."
Howard County Police have have charged 18-year-old Emmetson Zeah, who is currently being held without bail.
Police say Zeah opened fire on the pair near the Lidl parking lot on Little Patuxent Parkway. Investigators believe Zeah targeted the victims, but didn't reveal a motive.
During an interview with detectives, Zeah reportedly confessed to carrying out the shootings.
Zeah was also linked to a February 14 incident on Twin Rivers Road, where he allegedly fired several shots at someone and missed.
In that case, Zeah admitted to returning fire at a juvenile who he claims shot at him. Police say there's no evidence the victim ever had a gun.
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Besides GPS tracking and surveillance footage, a witness came forward identifying Zeah as the mall shooter.
This is the second fatal shooting by the mall in under a year.
Last July a teen was murdered inside the food court, launching a national manhunt for the shooter.
As a result, Howard County Police have implemented a mall safety plan.
"The plan includes increasing high-visibility marked patrol cars and uniformed officers patrolling in and around the mall. It also includes a series of covert and undercover details to supplement and support the uniformed officers,” Howard County Police Chief Gregory Der said on Thursday.
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The department will use outreach officers, the mall’s extensive security camera system, and even drones to identify collection points for possible criminal activity around the mall, and they’ll use school resource officers to help identify juveniles who could pose a threat.
A captain has been assigned unit commander to carry out the plan.
Fink says parents or students needing assistance during this time can contact a school counselor or administrator at 410-313-6950.
No funeral details for McCray have been released at the time of publishing.
