Howard County police have arrested three people in connection with the Jan. 14 fatal shooting of 17-year-old Lance Carrington in Columbia in what is alleged to have been a targeted attempted robbery. They continue to seek 16-year-old Jemik Parker, believed to be the shooter, and are offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information on his whereabouts.
Parker, of Columbia (pictured below), is charged in a warrant as an adult with first- and second-degree murder. Janae Baker, 18; Kendall Stagg, 18; and Charles Epperson Jr., 19, all of Columbia, were alleged to be at the scene and also are charged with first- and second-degree murder. They were arrested and are being held at the Howard County Detention Center without bail.
Detectives allege that the suspects conspired to rob the victim of a gun. When police located Carrington deceased in a parked vehicle in the 6000 block of Helen Dorsey Way, they recovered a loaded handgun in his possession. Through investigation, detectives believe that Baker was in the vehicle with Carrington when Parker, Epperson Jr., and Stagg approached. Parker is alleged to have shot Carrington before all four suspects fled.
While Maryland state law typically does not allow a juvenile suspect’s identification to be released, even when charged as an adult, an exception exists “for the sole purposes of facilitating apprehension of a child and ensuring public safety” when a criminal arrest warrant is issued. Howard County police are identifying Parker publicly because his whereabouts remain unknown and he is considered a potential threat to the public due to the nature of his alleged crime.
Police continue to investigate the involvement of other suspects. Anyone with information should contact police at 410-313-STOP or HCPDCrimeTips@howardcountymd.gov. You may remain anonymous.
