Howard County school leaders discuss the arrest of a student in a fatal shooting

Howard County’s top education official sought to reassure the school community Wednesday after a 17-year-old Howard High School student was arrested and charged with murder in the shooting death of a Baltimore man this week.

Howard County Public Schools Superintendent Bill Barnes said in a systemwide statement that he and the leadership team will develop a series of frequently asked questions to provide greater clarity to staff, students and parents.

“This is an extremely frightening series of events, and I share many of the concerns and questions raised by those involved,” Barnes wrote. “The questions that come in deserve answers.”

Howard County police arrested a 17-year-old boy Tuesday in connection with the killing of 26-year-old Kendrick McLellan of Baltimore, who was found in the driver’s seat of a vehicle with multiple gunshot wounds.

The car was parked behind an office building in the 8800 block of Center Park Drive in Columbia, not far from Howard High School. Authorities determined the shooting had occurred days earlier.

The Ellicott City teen will be charged as an adult with first-degree murder and related charges, according to police. He was arrested at 12:45 p.m. with a loaded gun in his backpack at the high school where he studies, police said. Authorities on Wednesday refused to release charging documents in the case, saying the suspect was a juvenile.

Investigators believe the victim and the teenager were acquaintances, but the motive for the shooting is unclear. Police are also looking for a second, unidentified person in the case.

Barnes said his primary focus in the coming days will be addressing the needs of Howard High School students and staff so they can feel safe in their school. He said he would work with his leadership team, Howard County Police and the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services to “reflect” on yesterday’s events.

The superintendent also said he will continue to work with police and district leaders to assess school safety and strengthen security across the district.

Barnes urged people to remain vigilant and report suspicious activity and behavior.

“Please remind your children to say something if they see something,” he wrote. “If anyone becomes aware of a potential threat to students or staff at a school, please immediately report the threat to your school administration or HCPD. Ensuring the safety of our students and staff is a comprehensive team effort.”

Howard High School Principal Steven Fleming reiterated Barnes’ commitment to safety and transparency in a schoolwide email Wednesday afternoon.

He said that after Wednesday’s disturbing news, he “can personally empathize with students, staff and family members who are wondering how we can ensure a safe school environment.”

Howard High went ahead with its scheduled PSAT tests and a freshman assembly Wednesday, which went smoothly, he wrote, and the crisis team was available on campus to help any student or staff process what happened.

Fleming said there was a significant reaction behind the scenes Tuesday as he worked with Barnes, counselors, police and the school system’s Office of Safety and Security.

“I am grateful for all the efforts of Howard HS staff and the significant support we received centrally to respond to yesterday’s event and ensure a high level of support and safety at our school,” he said. Fleming said he will provide more information as he and school system leadership learn more.