Heather Curtis
WMAL.com
WASHINGTON (WMAL) – A few days after a New Year’s Eve party, Anne Arundel County Police are still not sure who is responsible for shooting two teens and paralyzing one.
Lt. Ryan Frashure said it doesn’t seem like either victim knew the suspect or suspects who opened fire at a house party on Bastille Road in Severn around 1 Monday morning. The two victims, a 19 and 17-year-old, were shot by stray bullets fired during an altercation according to Frashure.
“It seems like our two victims are just innocent victims who just happened to be at the wrong place at the wrong time,” Frashure said.
Police department policy is to not identify victims of crimes, but the 19-year-old has been identified on a GoFundMe page as Lawrence Aaron III who played football at Oakland Mills High School before going on to play at Marshall University where he is a student.
According to the fundraising page, Aaron III was shot in the spine and is now paralyzed from the waist down.
“Our family is devastated, but truly thankful for God’s mercy on Lawrence’s life. Whether you know him as Lawrence, Larry, L, or Lo – we can all agree that the bravery and strength of this man is unmatched,” the family wrote in a statement on the site.
The 17-year-old was treated for minor injuries and released from the hospital.
Frashure said finding the person or persons who shot the two teens is particularly challenging because it was dark inside the house when the party was going on, and the more than 100 attendees seem to be from all different places.
Anyone with information is urged to call 410-222-6155 to talk to a detective or 410-222-4700 for the anonymous tip line.
Frashure said many people at the party were likely underage drinkers, and stressed they will not face charges for that if they call in a tip. He said the agency’s top priority is getting justice for the victims.
Copyright 2017 by WMAL.com. All Rights Reserved. (Photo: Anne Arundel County Police Department)
