Howard County Police Increase Reward In Death Of Mother And Baby In Columbia

WMAL News

WASHINGTON – Howard County police have increased the reward to up to $30,000 in the shooting of a pregnant woman in Columbia.

The shooting on July 31, 2020, resulted in her death and the death of her baby.

The victim was Rabiah Ahmad, 30, who was 28-weeks-pregnant when she was shot while inside a residence in the 6600 block of Dovecote Drive.

Ahmad later died at the hospital.

While doctors were able to deliver her baby girl, Ahja, she remained in critical condition until she died on Aug. 5.

Howard County police are asking the public to help identify a suspect vehicle captured on surveillance video at the time of the shooting.

Detectives believe the suspect(s) arrived and left the scene in an older-model white sedan. The surveillance video shows the sedan traveling along the 8000 block of Harriet Tubman Lane following the incident.

Police discovered that multiple bullets had been fired into the house from the outside. Ahmad, who had recently moved to Maryland and had been staying at the residence for the last few months, was struck once; no one else was injured.

Detectives do not believe that Ahmad was targeted and are still working to determine the motive in this case.

Investigators have also been following up on tips and possible leads in the case, but so far none has led to a suspect.

They have increased the reward and are urging anyone with information to contact Howard County police at 410-313-STOP or [email protected]. Callers can remain anonymous.