Year: 2020

Essex Woman Charged in Franklin Square Fires


On December 12, the Baltimore County Fire Department responded to MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center, 9000 Franklin Square Drive in Roseville for a trash bin fire in a soiled utility room on the third floor.

Due to the suspicious nature of the fire, Baltimore County Police responded to investigate. On December 13, police and fire responded again to MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center for two more fires, located on the fourth and fifth floors. A check of the hospital by the staff discovered two additional fires. A total of five fires were discovered between Dec. 12 and 13.

Detectives noticed that all of the fires were set in the same manner and were done intentionally. Through a series of interviews, evidence collection and investigative techniques, it was determined that an employee was responsible for setting all of the fires.

Emani Doretha Coclough, 23, of the 600 block of Middlesex Road in Essex, has been charged with five counts of second degree malicious burning.

She is a current employee of MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center and was working in the hospital at the time of the fires.

Coclough is currently being held on a no bail status and will have a bail review today.

Man Fatally Shot at Golden Ring Shopping Center


Police are investigating a shooting in the parking lot of the Golden Ring Shopping Center that killed a man Sunday night.

Officers responded to the call for a shooting in the parking lot near the Walmart and Sam’s Club in the 6400 block of Petrie Way, in Rosedale at 5:23 p.m. There they located an adult man suffering from a life-threatening gunshot wound to the upper body. The man, identified as Kumar Jumar Burney (20) of the 5300 block of King Arthur Circle, 21237, was transported to Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center where he was pronounced deceased.

Detectives from the Baltimore County Police Homicide Unit responded to the scene and determined that the victim had met at least one other person on the parking lot prior to the shooting. They are continuing the investigation into the circumstances precipitating the shooting tonight and ask anyone who may have information to contact police by calling 410-307-2020. Callers may remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward when submitting tips through Metro Crime Stoppers.

Dundalk Fire Reported on Sollers Point Rd


Baltimore County Fire Department reported a house fire in the
3500 block of Sollers Point Road.

Arriving crews at the location saw smoke coming from a 1 1/2 story house and fire on 1st floor. All occupants were reported out of the house on Sunday, Dec. 13 at 3:17 p.m.

Fire was reported under control 3:35 p.m.

Man Shot on Pulaski Highway in Rosedale


Baltimore County police responded to the 8000 block of Pulaski Highway in Rosedale for a call of shots fired on Saturday, Dec. 12 at 9:30 p.m.

Responding officers were unable to locate a victim. Shortly afterward, an adult male arrived at a local hospital with a gunshot wound to the upper body. The victim is expected to survive.

Detectives from the Baltimore County Police Violent Crimes Unit are continuing to investigate this incident. Anyone with information about this shooting is asked to call 410-307-2020.

Trash Room Fire Reported at Franklin Square Medical


–photo courtesy of North Point Edgemere Volunteer Fire Company-

Baltimore County Fire Department reported a fire at Medstar Franklin Square Medical Center in the 9000 block of Franklin Square Drive Saturday afternoon.

Crews at the location reported a fire in a trash room on third floor at 3:09 p.m.

Fire has been extinguished and patients on unit have been sheltered in place. Crewe are working on ventilation of the facility at this time.

Man Injured in Essex Apartment Shooting


Baltimore County Police are investigating a shooting that occurred outside of an Essex apartment complex on Thursday evening that left one man injured.

Officers responded to a call of shots fired in 1100 block of Tace Drive in Essex just after 5 p.m. on Dec. 10. Responding officers located the victim, an adult man, suffering from a gunshot wound to the lower body. He was transported to an area hospital and is expected to survive his injuries. The suspect(s) fled the scene prior to police arrival.

Detectives from the Baltimore County Police Violent Crimes Unit are investigating the circumstances surrounding the shooting and ask anyone who may have information to contact them by calling 410-307-2020.

Callers may remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward when submitting tips through Metro Crime Stoppers.

Edgemere Man Dies in Sparrows Point Road Crash


Baltimore County Police are investigating a crash that left one man deceased.

Just after 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 8, Baltimore County Police responded to Sparrows Point and North Point roads in Edgemere for a serious injury crash.

Crash Team investigators determined that a 2004 Chevrolet Silverado was heading eastbound on Sparrows Point Road approaching North Point Road when it failed to stop at a red traffic light.
As the Chevrolet entered the intersection it struck a 2017 Nissan Altima, left the roadway, struck a fence and hit the side porch of a residence in the 3100 block of Sparrows Point Road. The fence dislodged from the ground and hit a parked and unoccupied 2019 Chevrolet Malibu.

The driver of the Chevrolet Silverado, Leo George Zimmerman III (28) of the 7100 block of River Drive Road in Edgemere was transported to Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center where he was pronounced deceased.

The driver of the Nissan did not report any injuries.

The Baltimore County Crash Team continues the investigation and is asking anyone who may have information regarding this crash to contact police at 410-307-2020

Makeda Scott Elected as BCPS Board Chair

Perry Hall Resident Julie Henn Reelected Vice Chair


Makeda Scott, who was elected to the Board of Education of Baltimore County in 2018, was chosen Board chair at the group’s Dec. 8 meeting, becoming the first African American woman to lead the county’s school board. The Board also elected to retain Vice Chair Julie Henn in that role for another year.

“I am honored to be selected by my peers for this important role,” said Scott. “The events of the last year have reinforced how critical public education is and how essential it is that public school systems are led with vision and expertise. I look forward to working closely with my fellow Board members and Superintendent Williams to guide the system through this challenging period and to ensure its strength and flexibility for the future.”

Board members are tasked with electing new leadership annually during their first meeting in December. Scott was nominated for the post by Student Member of the Board Josh Muhumuza, a senior at Dundalk High School. In a social media post, Muhumuza referred to the nomination as “one of his proudest moments” as student member of the Board.

BCPS Superintendent Dr. Darryl L. Williams congratulated both Scott and Henn for their leadership and service. “It has been my pleasure to work with Ms. Scott as a Board member and now as Board chair. She continually demonstrates her unwavering commitment to the children and families of Baltimore County,” he said. “Ms. Henn brings her experience as a Board officer and will continue to be a strong advocate for Baltimore County’s schools and students.”

An Owings Mills resident, Scott is a communications professional with more than 20 years of experience. She has worked for WSB-TV (Atlanta, Ga), the Enterprise Foundation, American Federation of State and County Municipal Employees (AFSCME), the British Embassy, U.S. Congressman John Sarbanes, and the Baltimore City Housing Authority.

Henn has served on the school board since being appointed by the governor in 2016. When the Board transitioned in 2018 to a hybrid (part-elected, part-appointed) assembly, Henn was elected to serve on the Board representing the county’s Fifth District.

Henn, a Perry Hall resident, is an enterprise information technology professional who has served in leadership roles with Baltimore City Community College, QM Quality Matters, Computer Generated Solutions, the Archdiocese of Baltimore, and Prometric.

Arrest Made in Rosedale Teen Death in March


Two suspects have been charged in the March 7 shooting death of a 13-year-old boy on the parking lot of Kenwood Shopping Center.

Rodrick ONeil Bell (20) and Jeremiah Corneal Bell (16), both of the 5000 block of Walther Avenue, 21214 were arrested at their home early Thursday morning, Dec. 3.

Both are facing charges of first degree murder and five counts of attempted first degree murder. Jeremiah Bell is charged as an adult in these crimes.

Detectives from the Baltimore County Police Homicide Unit were able to determine that at 11:57 p.m., when a number of teens had exited ‘Triple Threat Elite’ dance studio, the suspects drove through the parking lot and began firing shots into the crowd, striking one adult and five juvenile victims, including Rickie Forehand (13) who died at the scene. Detectives are continuing to investigate to determine a motive for this shooting.

Both defendants remain held at the Baltimore County Detention Center on denied bail status. Anyone who may have additional information should contact police by calling 410-307-2020.