Columbia Shooting Leaves One Dead

The blue lights of a police car, set upon a blue sky background.
The blue lights of a police car, set upon a blue sky background.

COLUMBIA, MD — Howard County Police are actively investigating a fatal shooting in Columbia, resulting in one fatality and a non-fatal injury. Authorities announced a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to the resolution of this case.

The incident occurred around 9:25 p.m. on Dec. 17 in the 7600 block of Woodpark Lane. Responding officers discovered two individuals who had sustained gunshot wounds in the open stairwell of an apartment building. Both were immediately transported to the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center for medical attention.

Jeremiah Isaiah Darden, 18, a resident of Columbia, succumbed to his injuries and was declared deceased overnight. The second victim, a 20-year-old male also from Columbia, received treatment for his injuries and was subsequently released.

As of now, investigators lack concrete information about the suspect or suspects. It is believed that the shots originated from an unidentified vehicle. The detectives are considering all possibilities, including the chance that the shooting may not have been a random act of violence.