Pedestrian Killed Near Martin State Airport


Baltimore County Police are investigating a fatal crash in Middle River on Tuesday.

The accident occurred on April 6 just after 3:50 p.m. at Martin State Airport located in the 700 block of Wilson Point Road.

The pedestrian, Marion Cieplak Jr. (68) of Esworthy Road was pronounced deceased on scene after being struck by a 2002 Ford F3-50.

The Baltimore County Police Crash Team is continuing its investigation to determine the factors involved in this fatal crash.

Middle River Man Arrested for Shooting Roommate


Baltimore County Police reported that 36-year-old Samuel Charles Davis is charged with attempted first-degree murder and other charges after shooting his roommate, a 30-year-old man.

The victim was transported to a local hospital after being shot in the lower body by Davis following an argument in the 1500 block of Aldeney Avenue in Middle River just before 9 p.m. on Tuesday, March 30. Davis remained at the location and was arrested when officers arrived.

Davis is held at the Baltimore County Detention Center on a no bail status pending a bail review hearing.

Fire Reported at White Marsh Commons Apartments


-photo courtesy of White Marsh Volunteer Fire Company-

Baltimore County Fire Department reported an apartment fire last night at the White Marsh Commons Apartments in Middle River.

Crew reported multiple apartment complexes were part of the fire.

The fire was reported Saturday, March 6 around 10:22 a.m. and had been contained at 11:10 p.m.

One adult victim was transported by EMS crews for smoke inhalation.

Middle River Woman Dies in Dundalk Crash


46-year-old Rachel Ann Mashburnni of the 7500 block of Clearlake Lane of Middle River died on Feb. 10 from injuries she sustained after being struck by a car on Jan. 11.

Crash investigators determined as Mashburn attempted to cross the southbound lanes of Dundalk Avenue near Center Place South around 8 p.m., a Toyota Camry traveling southbound struck her.

Mashburn was not using the crosswalk. The driver remained at the scene.

Mashburn was taken by medics to the R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center. She was later transferred to the Gilchrist Center Towson where she died.

The Baltimore County Police Crash Team continues its investigation into this fatal crash and the factors that contributed to it.

Murder-Suicide Reported in Middle River


A murder-suicide in Middle River remains under investigation.

18-year old April Renee Lawson was found fatally shot inside her Middle River home. Police found 20-year old Michael Ruben Morris Jr. inside the home suffering from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Officers responded to the 3900 block of Bayville Road for an attempted suicide with a gun last night just before 10:30 p.m.

Once inside the home, they found Lawson inside suffering gunshot wounds to the upper body. Morris suffered what appeared to have been a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the upper body. Both were pronounced dead at the scene. 

Baltimore County Police Homicide Detectives are continuing their investigation into the circumstances surround this incident. 

Middle River Man Sentenced for False Tax Returns


Maryland Attorney General Brian E. Frosh announced that Jacob McNeill, 53, of Middle River, was convicted in the Anne Arundel County Circuit Court on four offenses relating to the filing of Maryland State tax returns.  McNeill pleaded guilty to filing a false tax return, failure to file a tax return, identity fraud, and theft. 

Judge Stacy W. McCormick ordered McNeill to pay $41,000 in restitution, and sentenced him to probation before judgment and 5 years supervised probation.  As a condition of probation, McNeill is prohibited from acting as a tax preparer.  During tax year 2017, McNeill, an unregistered tax preparer, operated Mack’s Tax Service from his home in Middle River.  McNeill assumed the identity of one of the children of his clients to file a false tax return and steal the refund from the State. 

McNeill failed to file a personal tax return reporting the income he earned as a tax preparer. The case was investigated by the Field Enforcement Division of the Comptroller’s Office and prosecuted by the Criminal Investigations Division of the Maryland Attorney General’s Office.

BCPS Students Named “Champions of Courage” Finalists

Four of five BCPS students from East Side


Five Baltimore County Public Schools students will appear on WBFF-TV FOX 45, WNUV-TV The CW Baltimore and MyTV Baltimore saluting their personal heroes this January and February.

The students are among the 15 area finalists in the 34th Annual “Champions of Courage” Black History Month Essay Competition.

The BCPS finalists are:

Bruce Ferstermann, Middle River Middle School

Kameron Brockington, Milford Mill Academy

Breanna Pompey, Parkville High School

Grace Duong, Perry Hall High School

Ava Wehr, Perry Hall High School

As finalists, each student will receive a $100 award.

The top three essayists, selected from among the 15 finalists, will be announced during a Champions of Courage television special that will air on WBFF-TV FOX 45, on Saturday, Feb. 20, at 7:30 p.m.

The top three essayists will be presented with additional awards, and in their honor, their schools will receive cash awards.

According to contest organizers, “Champions of Courage” is designed to commemorate Black History Month by celebrating positive role models for youth.

The essay competition provides an opportunity for students in Grades 6 – 12 to participate in a scholastic competition, gain confidence in their abilities, and be recognized for their achievement.

“Champions of Courage” also serves to share with the legacy and teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Bowleys Quarters VFC Battles Saturday Fire


photo courtesy of Bowleys Quarters VFC-

Bowleys Quarters Volunteer Fire Department reported their crews were first on scene of a house fire on Luthardt Road in Middle River on Saturday afternoon.

Crews arrived around 1:30 p.m. with a heavy volume of fire showing from two second floor windows of an occupied 18th centuryfarmhouse.

According to BQVFC, firefighters advanced a hose up a very challenging closet style staircase and advanced on the fire.

Crews were tactically withdrawn after experiencing high heat, it was confirmed that all occupants were out of the structure, and exterior firefighting knocked down the flames.

The fire was reported under control within an hour.

Woman Dies in Middle River House Fire


The Baltimore County Fire Department reported that a woman has died in a fire in the 2100 block of Cockspur Road in Middle River Wednesday morning.

A male victim is also being treated for burn injuries at a local hospital.

Fire crews arrived at 6:13 a.m. with smoke showing from the residential structure. The fire was reportedly under control before 8 a.m.

The fire is still under investigation.

Fullerton Fire Units Honored for 2019 Middle River Rescue


A Baltimore Fire Company Unit Citation has been awarded to the team of Fullerton Truck 8, Fire Lt. Brandon Watkins (off duty) and other personnel in recognition of exceptional performance during a house fire in Middle River on Nov. 12, 2019.

Fire units were dispatched at 12:16 p.m. to the Contact Court for a dwelling fire with rescue. First- arriving crews found heavy fire and smoke showing from a single-story home.

During a search of the home, firefighters located the victim in the living room — the room BCoPD fire investigators have identified as the place where the fire started. No one else was in the home at the time of the fire.

Firefighters removed the victim from the home and transferred him to EMS providers. EMS personnel pronounced him deceased at the scene.