Update:
Mom's United is hosting a vigil for 15-year-old Khalil Johnson on Saturday. The vigil will start at 6:30 p.m. at the Edgewater Village Basketball Court on Brookside Drive in Edgewood. If you plan on attending, you're asked to bring a picture of Khalil, a candle and a balloon.
If you would like to help the family with funeral expenses, click here.
Original:
A 15-year-old was shot and killed in Edgewood shortly after midnight on the Fourth of July, Harford County Sheriff’s Office said.
"It's sad. It's real sad," said neighbor Cheryl Stevenson.
Sheriff’s Deputies responded to the 1900 block of Eloise Lane at about 12:21 a.m. for a reported shooting. There they found a large group of teens outside a townhouse and a teen boy, later identified as Khalil Lephonzo Johnson, inside, suffering from a gunshot wound to his upper body. Deputies immediately began life-saving measures, and medics with the Joppa Magnolia Volunteer Fire Company arrived to take the Johnson to University of Maryland Shock Trauma. He was later pronounced dead at the hospital.
Investigators determined Johnson was shot in the area of Brookside Drive and Eloise Lane. Deputies searched the area with the aid of K9 units, but no suspects were found. Police believe Johnson was targeted.
"This is an area where we do have gang activity. It's an area where we often have gang-related crimes. I'm not saying this one is a gang-related crime because we haven't determined that yet, but the possibility does exist," said Colonel William Davis, Harford County Sheriff's Office.
The Harford County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division assumed control of the investigation and began collecting evidence from the scene. They are reviewing camera footage and chasing some leads but don't have the names of any suspects yet.
"I hope they find them. It's just ridiculous, like it's senseless. There's just too many young kids getting cut down for no reason," said Stevenson.
The Sheriff's Office will have extra deployment out tonight, not just for the Fourth of July, but as a result of the shooting.
"We have our crime suppression unit that's bringing in some extra people for that," said Davis.
As the investigation continues, detectives ask anyone with information to contact Detective M. Berg at 443-409-3302, call Harford County Crime Solvers at 1-888-540-8477, or use the online tip system. Metro Crime Stoppers is offering a potential reward of up to $2,000 for information that may lead to an arrest or indictment. Text Metro Crime Stoppers at “CRIMES” (274637) and begin your message with “MCS.”
