Howard County police have charged four men in a February shooting in Columbia that injured one suspect and two bystanders, including a child.
Malachi Smith, 18, of Monarch Mills Way in Columbia, is charged with multiple handgun violations. He is being held without bond at the Howard County Detention Center (HCDC).
A juvenile male from Waldorf, who was 17 at the time of the incident, is charged with first- and second-degree assault and handgun violations. He is being held without bond at the HCDC.
Tony Terrell Blunt Jr., 19, of Daystar Court in Columbia, is charged with multiple handgun violations and is being held without bond at the HCDC.
Byron Lamar Dickey Jr., 19, of Martock Lane in Hanover, is charged with multiple handgun violations and was released on $10,000 bond.
Detectives believe Smith and the juvenile agreed to meet with Blunt and Dickey on Feb. 13 near the Wilde Lake Village Center for an illegal gun sale. During the meeting, there was a dispute and an exchange of gunfire, resulting in Blunt being shot in the leg. Two innocent bystanders were also struck, including a child who was shot in the arm and his mother who was shot in leg. All were treated at the hospital and released.
Police believe the juvenile fired the shots that struck Blunt. At this time, no one has been charged with firing the stray bullets that struck the bystanders. The investigation is ongoing.
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