A Maryland high school student, Jaylen Prince, 16, has been charged with first and second-degree murder, among other offenses, for allegedly shooting 15-year-old Warren Grant inside a Joppatowne High School bathroom on the first day of the semester. The fatal altercation occurred on Friday, leading to Grant being airlifted to a hospital, where he later died.
According to law enforcement, Prince, charged as an adult, is also facing charges of first and second-degree assault, as well as firearm possession. He remains in custody without bail after the Harford County State’s Attorney’s office argued that the teen posed a significant danger to the community.
Investigators found ammunition under Prince’s mattress and photos of him posing with a gun on his phone, though the weapon used in the shooting has yet to be recovered.
Authorities had already been aware of Prince, with Harford County officials noting that he had been involved in at least 10 prior incidents since 2022, either as a suspect, witness, or victim. However, it remains unclear whether he has a formal juvenile record. Despite this, his defense attorney, Marcus Jenkins, advocated for home detention, citing Prince’s constitutional right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty. “I think that everybody has a constitutional right to be not detained while their case is pending,” Jenkins said.
Tributes for Warren Grant poured in from friends, family, and classmates, who remembered him as a positive, energetic, and caring young man. Grant’s girlfriend, Cy’ahana Strand, recounted the harrowing moments when she held him in her arms and tried to save his life after the shooting. “I did CPR. I put pressure on his wound. I made sure he didn’t talk. I was there for him as much as I could be”
The shooting sparked an immediate response, with more than 100 officers arriving at the scene within 15 minutes of the shots being fired around 12:36 p.m. Students were evacuated from the school, and the surrounding area was locked down as authorities launched a manhunt for the suspect. Prince was apprehended within minutes at a nearby apartment complex, quelling fears of an active shooter situation.
Despite Prince’s quick arrest, the investigation was temporarily halted due to Maryland’s Child Interrogation Protection Act. This law mandates that minors must consult with their parents and attorney before speaking with law enforcement, adding a layer of complexity to the case.
Harford County Sheriff Jeff Gahler expressed frustration at the legal constraints, noting the broad impact the incident had on the community. “This case is a tragic example,” Gahler said, pointing to the thousands affected, including the students and parents at Joppatowne High School, who are left searching for answers.
The investigation into the motive behind the deadly altercation is ongoing, with no clear details yet emerging about what led to the fight.
