At a press conference at Schrom Hills Park on Monday, April 29, Greenbelt Chief of Police Richard Bowers announced the arrest of two teenaged suspects in connection with the shooting of five young people that occurred there on April 19, during an unsanctioned Senior Skip Day gathering that drew a flash mob of around 500 people to the park (see the April 25 issue).
The suspects, aged 14 and 16, are from Bowie and District Heights. Both attend Bowie High School. As juveniles, their names cannot be released at this time. Aisha Braveboy, State’s Attorney for Prince George’s County, who was present in Greenbelt for the press conference, stated that the suspects will be tried as adults, for attempted homicide and gun-related charges. Motives for the shootings are still unknown at this time.
Bowers spoke to gathered reporters, alongside members of law enforcement, including Prince George’s County Sheriff John Carr, U.S. Marshal for the State of Maryland Mathew Silverman and Greenbelt officials, including City Manager Josué Salmerón, Mayor Emmett Jordan and City Councilmembers Danielle McKinney, Jenni Pompi, Silke Pope and Kristen Weaver. Bowers praised the Greenbelt Police Department Criminal Investigative Unit for tireless efforts on the case over the past 10 days. He also thanked the U.S. Marshals Joint Fugitive Task Force, who made the arrests, as well as Prince George’s County Police, Maryland State Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation who all cooperated to identify the alleged shooters.
The five teenagers who were wounded in the shooting have all recovered enough to be released and are now home from the hospital.
Jordan acknowledged the Greenbelt Police Department for their expert medical care helping save the lives of the victims until ambulances could arrive.
Jordan praised the law enforcement officers who sprang into action to handle the crisis and went on to ask two questions that are on the minds of Greenbelters: “What is going on with truancy in the schools? People coming together and being able to converge … along with the county, state and nation, we’re grappling with this problem. We need to come to grips on how to deal with these large spontaneous gatherings. And what is a 14-year-old and a 16-year-old doing with a gun?” Braveboy noted that truancy levels in the county are at around 30 percent and mentioned the county’s response to truancy and working with parents, but others present noted that county school policies determine how schools and police officers can respond to truancy.
Salmerón said the city would speed up safety enhancements, including cameras and license plate readers. He spoke of safety as a community effort not solely the responsibility of law enforcement, requiring an investment in social services, too. “Remember, hurt people hurt people,” said Salmerón.
At a public safety budget worksession scheduled for Monday, April 29, council was to consider how many cameras and license plate readers might be needed in public spaces around the city. A large mobile camera trailer is currently posted near the pavilion at Schrom Hills Park. Greenbelt Police video footage from dash and body cameras is available on the police website for public viewing, but Bowers indicated that reports from witnesses were key in identifying and apprehending the suspects, whereas the camera footage highlights the speed of police response in reaching the victims and treating them for gunshot wounds.
All 53 of Greenbelt’s police officers receive emergency medical training annually on how to use Tactical Emergency Casualty Care (TECC) kits. Speedy application of trauma dressings and wound seals by officers on the scene helped save the lives of those who were shot.
Anyone with information or video of the Schrom Hills event that could aid the investigation is urged to call the police at 301-474-7200 or email CRIMETIPS@greenbeltmd.gov.
