One Dead, Two Injured in Separate Shootings Near Columbia Shopping Center

Baltimore — On Saturday, two teenagers were injured and a man was killed in two separate shootings in nearby Howard County.

According to Howard County Police, a man in his 20s was found shot to death inside a parked vehicle behind an office building around 2:14 a.m. on the 8800 block of Centre Park Drive in Columbia. Officials said he was from Baltimore, but he has yet to be named.

Around 9:10 p.m., two teenagers, aged 16 and 17, were hurt in a shooting in the parking lot of the neighboring Giant Food at the Columbia Palace Shopping Center, police say. According to the dispatch call, this occurred between Bank of America and Giant.

“It’s crazy because Columbia isn’t known for that sort of thing, but it’s been cropping up a little bit more now, this year especially,” Columbia resident Bill Houseal said. “It’s kind of frightening it is happening more and more.”

Houseal, a father of two, said he’s not sure what’s caused the increase in crime.

“It’s a pricey location, so I’m not sure if they need to ramp up police patrols around here or not, but you should keep an eye out. “It can happen anywhere nowadays,” Houseal explained.

Police do not believe the shootings are connected. In both cases, investigators are hunting for suspects.

This incident occurred down the street from Howard High School, which some neighbors expressed concern about because their children attend the school.

“It is astounding. “You wouldn’t expect something like this in this neighborhood,” remarked Columbia resident Jim. “It’s not an inner city, it’s not a high crime area.”

Anyone who has information about the shootings can contact police at 410-313-STOP or [email protected].

Content Source: Three shot, one dead, in two separate shootings near Columbia shopping center