U.S. marshals arrested a 15-year-old boy accused of attempted murder on a Prince George’s County school bus. Sources say the teen is also wanted in a D.C. homicide.
The teen was found alone and unarmed at about 2:40 p.m. Tuesday in the Riverdale Park area. He is accused of trying to shoot another teenager on the bus and is connected to the killing of a D.C. woman whose sibling also was arrested in the school bus attack, law enforcement sources told News4, describing the cases as not connected.
Prince George's police have not publicly released the suspect's full name, but he is known as "Baby K," they said.
He’s charged as an adult with attempted murder, assault, gun possession and other charges.
We've got the news you need to know to start your day. Sign up for the First & 4Most morning newsletter — delivered to your inbox daily. Sign up here.
The suspect boarded a bus with two other teens on the afternoon on May 1 and began to attack a 14-year-old, according to Prince George's County police.
The suspect then tried to shoot the victim multiple times, but investigators believe the gun malfunctioned, and the victim was left with minor injuries, police said. Ammunition was found on the bus.
'Thank God': Mother of Bus Attack Victim Reacts to Arrest
Local
Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia local news, events and information
The mother of the victim, who asked not to be identified, spoke with News4 moments after learning about the arrest.
“Initially in shock, but then I was like, 'What?' It went instantly from like, 'What? Say that again? To oh, thank God.' God is good,” she said.
Her relief was on full display. She said the past 29 days have been a nightmare for their family, and she’s trying to raise money so they can move away from the area.
“I need justice. That’s it, that’s all I need, is justice. I know that I have no control over anything that goes on in the justice system, but I know God has control over everything on this earth, so I know he had control over this situation from the beginning on that bus to right now,” she said.
Prosecutors say a gang-related dispute led to the confrontation. They say it was targeted and planned.
Police previously said they arrested a 14-year-old boy from Suitland, a 15-year-old boy from Temple Hills and a 14-year-old girl from Oxon Hill described by prosecutors as the “mastermind” of the attack. They are charged as adults.
Two days after the bus attack, 23-year-old Kaijah McCoy of Northeast D.C. was found shot to death in a residential building in the 3700 block of Jamison Street NE, D.C. police said.
The school bus attack suspect arrested Tuesday also is wanted in McCoy’s homicide, law enforcement sources familiar with the investigation told News4. It wasn’t immediately clear what charges, if any, he may face in connection to the killing.
News4 sends breaking news stories by email. Go here to sign up to get breaking news alerts in your inbox.
County Executive Angela Alsobrooks spoke at a news conference Wednesday about the need for consequences for the teens.
“The violence that we witnessed was outrageous. It was appalling. Now that these children — and they are children in this case, 14, 15 and 16 years old — have been arrested, it is the case that they absolutely must be held accountable,” she said.
Chief of Police Malik Aziz said some of the state’s new juvenile justice laws are hurting efforts to hold young people accountable. Investigators could not question the 15-year-old or others charged in the case, he said.
“An attorney has to give permission over the parent so that we can ask questions for those who are directly involved in these type of horrific crimes,” Aziz said.
Officials said they didn’t know where the 15-year-old had been or if he had been in school.
"Baby K" is due in court Thursday.
