Police Searching For Motive In Fatal Shooting Of 18-Year-Old Simeon Mukuna In Columbia
COLUMBIA, Md. (WJZ) -- Police in Howard County are still trying to figure out what led to the county's first homicide of 2021.
Eighteen-year-old Simeon Mukuna of North Potomac was visiting a friend at the Monarch Mills apartment complex in the 7500 block of Monarch Mills Way in Columbia around 5 p.m. Saturday when he was shot and killed. Police said the suspect, 23-year-old Shawndel Weems, fled to his apartment after the shooting but eventually surrendered without incident.
READ MORE: Howard County Police Arrest Columbia Man In Fatal Shooting Of Simeon Mbuyu Mukuna
Weems is being held without bond on multiple charges, including first-degree and second-degree murder, first-degree and second-degree assault and reckless endangerment.
"We don't believe Mukuna and Weems knew one another and we don't have reports of an altercation," police spokesperson Lori Boone said.
Mukuna's family and friends have been left heartbroken.
"He's the one who says yes for anything, even at school, he played soccer, he liked playing guitar," his sister Bernadette told WUSA9.
Mukuna was a senior at Richard Montgomery County High School in Rockville just months from graduating. Principal Damon Monteleon described him as a wonderful student with a bright future ahead.
"This is the kind of kid that transcended cliques or social groups and somebody that made a positive impact really wherever he was," he said.
Police are still investigating a possible motive and are asking anyone with information to contact them.
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