18-year-old arrested for shooting that killed two teenagers near Columbia mall, police say
An 18-year-old was arrested following a double shooting that killed a 16-year-old and a 15-year-old near The Mall in Columbia on Saturday evening, according to Howard County police.
Emmetson Zeah, from Columbia, is being held at the Howard County Detention Center without bail on first-degree murder charges. Police said Zeah is also facing attempted first-degree murder for a shooting on Feb. 14 on Twin Rivers Road in Columbia. Court records show he violated his home monitoring agreement a day before the murder.
A gun and the clothing Zeah was wearing during Saturday's shooting was recovered at his home, police said.
Police said 16-year-old Michael Robertson was shot and killed around 5:52 p.m. Saturday in the parking lot and bus loop area outside of Lidl in the 10300 block of Little Patuxent Parkway. Blake McCray, a 15-year-old, was taken to the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center where he died days later, police said.
Robertson was a sophomore student at Wilde Lake High School, according to the school's principal. McCray was a freshman at Oakland Mills High School, the school's principal confirmed.
Police said there was no active shooter situation and officers believe it was targeted.
The mall did not go on lockdown and operations continued as usual.
"Very shocked to hear that, a very sad moment for around here," said Craig Stone, who lives near the mall.
Columbia community reacts
Holden Rushing told WJZ he was working inside the mall Saturday evening when shots were fired.
"Earlier, we had heard like a banging noise. We didn't really know what it was at first," Rushing said. "But we started to hear chatters that there was a shooting. They just had us close the doors inside of our store, lock the doors and there were a couple people in there. They just went to the back until we heard it was safe to go out."
Columbia residents told WJZ they felt generally safe in the Town Center, which comprises the mall, apartments, and other office buildings.
"Obviously, I still consider this area statistically a lot better than a lot of other areas. I don't feel in danger," said Columbia resident Derek Shepherd.
Others are concerned about the violence since this is the second deadly shooting in seven months at the mall.
"It is a little worrying that it happened twice so close together, even in the span of just a few months," Columbia resident Kylon Lymon said. "It is a little worrying about the level of security inside the mall and the surrounding area."
Prior shooting at Columbia Mall
Sunday's gun violence was the second deadly shooting at The Mall in Columbia within the past year.
In July 2024, William Marshall III was seen on video shooting and killing 17-year-old Angelo Little, according to police. No arrests have been made in that case yet.
"If you commit a crime here in Howard County, we will track you down, we will prosecute you, and we will find you. We're using every resource that we have," said Howard County Police Chief Gregory Der said.
If you have any information related to this incident, HCPD urges you to call 911.
