Year: 2021

Arrest Made in Nov. 21 Eastern Ave. Shooting


Detectives arrested 51-year-old Murkey Spruill and 23-year-old Dandre Cannon in connection to a shooting that occurred on Nov. 21, in the 2100 block of Eastern Avenue in Middle River

Spruill and Cannon have been charged with attempted first degree murder and first degree assault. Both suspects are being held without bond at the Baltimore County Detention Center.

Police Release Victim’s Names From Kingsville Fatal Crash


Officers from the Baltimore County Police Crash Team continue to investigate a fatal crash that occurred on Saturday, Dec. 11 along Belair Road and Sheradale Drive in Kingsville.

A preliminary investigation indicates at approximately 12:20 a.m., a 2020 Toyota RAV4, operated by 30-year-old Sunil Baraili was traveling southbound on Belair Road. 47-year-old Maurice Harris, who was also operating a 2020 Toyota RAV4, was traveling northbound.

The two vehicles collided near the intersection of Belair Road and Sheradale Drive.

Paramedics transported Harris to a hospital where he was pronounced deceased. Paramedics pronounced Baraili deceased at the scene.

Two passengers in the Toyota RAV4 operated by Baraili were transported to area hospitals for treatment. This crash remains under investigation by members of the Baltimore County Police Crash Team.

BCPS Releases Statement on TikTok Threat


Baltimore County Public School released a statement about a TikTok threat against schools across the nation on Thursday, Dec. 16.

“The safety of all students, staff, and visitors at Baltimore County Public Schools remains a top priority. Since the beginning of the 2021-2022 school year, members of the Baltimore County Police Department, including school resource officers (SROs), have investigated more than 75 threats made both in person or on social media.”

“Baltimore County Public Schools and the Baltimore County Police Department remain committed to investigating each threat to ensure our youth are provided a safe learning environment in which they can receive a quality education. Both agencies will work in collaboration with the Baltimore County State’s Attorney’s Office to prosecute these cases when warranted.

“Parents and guardians are urged to be vigilant. It is critical that social media accounts are checked regularly, and that the importance of acting responsibly is stressed. Please remind your children that if they see something, say something. Anyone who witnesses suspicious activity is urged to call 911 as well as notify their school resource officer and administrator. Social media threats should not be forwarded unless instructed to do so by a police officer or school official/administrator.”

Eastern Tech Senior Named a Semi-Finalist by Coca-Cola


Faith LeBrun, a senior at Eastern Technical High School, has been named one of 1,617 Coca-Cola Scholar semifinalists for 2022.

The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation program honors students for their academic excellence, leadership, and service in their schools and communities. The semifinalists were selected from among more than 68,000 applicants from across the nation. Next, 250 semifinalists will advance to become regional finalists, and then 150 of the regional finalists will become Coca-Cola Scholars, receiving $20,000 college scholarships.

LeBrun is president of Eastern Tech’s Class of 2022; president of her school’s National English Honor Society chapter; co-founder and editor-in-chief of EDEN, the school’s first-ever literary magazine; and a leader of the school’s Red Cross Society.

Enrolled in the Teacher Academy of Maryland program at Eastern Tech, LeBrun launched a Better Minds Tutoring business during the COVID-19 pandemic. As a project for her community leadership class at Eastern Tech, LeBrun’s latest initiative is Women Who Lead, a blog and podcast about the experiences, struggles, and achievements of female leaders.

In addition. LeBrun serves as a marketing advisor with the organization Alumni Answers, through which students at prestigious universities share their strategies for academic success. LeBrun plans to attend a four-year college and pursue a career in business, perhaps as a business consultant or entrepreneur, with some involvement in real estate.

“Faith is an intellectually curious young lady who is mature beyond her years,” said Stacey Kalwa, Eastern Tech’s English department chair. “She views things from multiple perspectives and approaches problems without preconceived notions.”

“I work with Faith daily in several capacities, and this girl is unstoppable,” said Erin Annis, Eastern Tech’s library media specialist (who serves as staff advisor to EDEN and the National English Honor Society and teaches LeBrun in an AP Research course). “She is a natural leader — she is perceptive, forward-thinking, and the true definition of ‘girl-boss.’ She doesn’t just come up with great ideas or acknowledge what needs to be done; she executes. She is one of a kind.”

A joint effort of Coca-Cola bottlers across the country and The Coca-Cola Company, the Coca-Cola Scholars Program is the largest corporate-sponsored, achievement-based scholarship program in the United States. With the addition of the 2022 class, the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation will have provided more than 6,600 Coca-Cola Scholars nationwide with more than $78 million in scholarships over the course of 34 years.

Speed Enforcement Added to I-95 in White Marsh


In coordination with the Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) and Maryland State Police (MSP) Maryland SafeZones Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE) program, the Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) will deploy ASE equipment for construction activities on I-95 in White Marsh.

Beginning Monday, Dec. 20, ASE equipment will be deployed on northbound I-95 near mile marker No. 67.5. The equipment will be used to deter speeding in the work zones currently in place along this stretch of I-95. Advance warning signs are in place prior to the work zone to alert drivers of automated speed enforcement use and a “speed trailer” will be on site to display drivers’ speeds.

After a 21-day warning period, the MSP will authorize citations starting Monday, January 10. By law, if a vehicle is recorded traveling at a specified rate or more over the posted speed limit – the posted speed is 65 mph at this location – a $40 fine will be issued to the registered owner of the vehicle.
Maryland SafeZones’ goal is to slow drivers and make work zones safer environments for work crews, drivers and passengers. Even when workers are not present, work zones can be dangerous due to uneven pavement, lane shifts, reduced shoulders and other modifications. For more information on the program, visit safezones.maryland.gov.

The current work is part of the MDTA’s $1.1 billion I-95 Express Toll Lanes Northbound Extension program to relieve congestion and improve travel along the I-95 Corridor into Harford County. Construction began in May 2021 on the major project to widen northbound I-95 between MD 43 (White Marsh Boulevard) and MD 152 (Mountain Road) to make way for the ETL extension, which is expected to open to traffic by 2024 to MD 152, with the full extension to north of MD 24 open to traffic by 2027.

View real-time traffic camera images on MDTA roadways by visiting mdta.maryland.gov. For real-time updates on major incidents follow MDTA on Twitter at twitter.com/TheMDTA and on Facebook at facebook.com/TheMDTA

Shooting Reported Tinker Rd in Middle River


Baltimore County police officers responded to the 700 block of Tinker Road in Middle River in reference to a call of “shots fired.” on Sunday, Dec. 12, at approximately 10:20 p.m.

When officers arrived, they located 19-year-old Dominick Hill suffering from a gunshot wound. Medics transported Hill to an area hospital where he was later pronounced deceased.

As homicide detectives investigate the circumstances surrounding this incident, they are asking anyone with information about the shooting to call 410-307-2020 or Metro Crime Stoppers of Maryland at 1-866-7LOCKUP. You may be eligible for a reward of up to $2,000.

Two People Die in Saturday Morning Crash in Kingsville


-photo courtesy of Kingsville Volunteer Fire Company/M. Tomko-

The Kingsville Volunteer Fire Company reported a motor vehicle crash on Saturday after midnight with entrapment in the area of the Gunpowder Lodge on Belair Road. The accident resulted in two deaths.

According to reports, crews arrived at Belair Road and Sheradale Drive with a two car crash that saw with three people trapped. One person was deemed in grave condition upon arrival while all others patients had life threatening injuries.

In under 15 minutes, all patients were extricated from the vehicles and were transported to regional trauma centers. Unfortunately, one person died on the way to the hospital. Both of the other patients remain in critical condition.

Body Found Along Sparrows Point Shoreline


Baltimore County officers responded to the 1600 block of Sparrows Point Blvd. in Sparrows Point in reference to a body that was located near the shoreline. The body was found on Wednesday, December 8, at approximately 10:15 a.m.

Upon arrival, officers discovered the body of an unidentified male. While there were no apparent signs of trauma, an autopsy will be performed by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. Baltimore County Homicide detectives are assisting in this investigation.

As detectives continue to investigate this case, they are asking anyone who might have information about the case to contact 410-307-2020.

Car Crashes into Pine Grove Middle and Injures Student


Baltimore County police responded to Pine Grove Middle School in Carney where a motorist had struck the school and injured a student.

The crash was reported on Thursday, Dec. 9 around 8:39 a.m.

Building was evacuated as a precaution but students returned inside at 9:33 a.m.

Pine Grove sent out a letter to parents explaining that one student was injured and transported by EMS.