Lawmakers Seek to Change Maryland Laws After MS-13 Gang Member Allowed in Schools 2024-09-24

Work has begun in Annapolis to change Maryland laws after a FOX45 News investigation found an MS-13 gang member who was a murder suspect was allowed to enroll in Baltimore-area public high schools. This comes as FOX45 continues to learn about the criminal investigation into W. Martinez. Turns out, local police asked Immigration and Customs Enforcement for help in his case. But ICE said no. M. was arrested in January 2023 and charged in the murder of 20-year-old K. Hamilton six months earlier. At the time of his arrest, M., then 17, was attending Edgewood High School in Harford County — even though, according to charging documents, he was an MS-13 gang member and murder suspect who was in the country illegally. And no one at the school was alerted about M.'s past. Prior to enrolling at Edgewood, Child Protective Services had placed M. at a group home in Baltimore County, where he was enrolled at Lansdowne High School from Sept. 1, 2022, until Oct, 7 of that year, according to Baltimore County Public Schools. Lawmakers are drafting legislation to give law enforcement officers the ability to prohibit students from attending school in-person if they are suspected of committing a felony.

crime

Virginia Man Arrested in Maryland Road Rage Incident 2024-09-24

A Virginia man, J. Cook, 34, of Fairfax County, Virginia, has been arrested following a Maryland State Police investigation into an armed road-rage incident in Prince George's County in February. Troopers from the College Park Barrack responded to a report on February 2 of a road rage involving a black Ford F-150. The driver reportedly pointed a firearm at another motorist near Interstate 95 and Route 1 in Prince George's County. Investigators identified Cook as the suspect through dashcam footage. Virginia State Police seized a handgun from his vehicle and assisted in the investigation. The Maryland Department of State Police is committed to enhancing safety in communities across Maryland by addressing gun violence on highways. Police urge motorists to prioritize highway safety by avoiding impaired, aggressive and distracted driving.

crime

74-year-old Killed in Towson Four-Car Crash 2024-09-24

A four-car collision resulted in the death of 74-year-old I. Berry on Tuesday. Berry's Toyota Corolla was struck from behind by a Kia Sorento traveling at high speed. The impact caused her Corolla to enter the southbound lane, hitting a third vehicle that then collided with a fourth southbound car. Berry was transported to a local hospital with serious injuries and later pronounced deceased. The driver and passenger of the third vehicle also sustained non-life-threatening injuries and were taken to a local hospital. The driver of the Kia Sorento faces several traffic violations in connection with the crash.