Teen Charged With Murder After Joppatowne High School Shooting

JOPPATOWNE, MD — A 16-year-old boy accused of fatally shooting a fellow Joppatowne High School student during a fight in a school bathroom has been charged with murder, authorities said Saturday.

Jaylen Rushawn Prince, 16, of Edgewood, was taken into custody by Harford County deputies shortly before 1 p.m. Friday after authorities said he fatally shot 15-year-old Warren Curtis Grant of Edgewood.

Prince has been charged as an adult with murder, first- and second-degree assault and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, authorities said. He is currently being held at the Harford County Detention Center and is awaiting his initial court appearance.

• RELATED: Student Fatally Shot At Joppatowne HS Identified, Teen Suspect Faces Adult Charges

Deputies were called to the school shortly after 12:30 p.m. Friday in response to the reported fight, Harford County Sheriff Jeffrey Gahler said. Authorities previously said the school’s principal and resource officer heard a commotion in the first-floor men’s bathroom but did not hear the gunshot, Gahler said.

Officials said Prince and Grant were fighting in the bathroom before the shooting. Grant was shot once, Gahler said. According to authorities, Prince and Grant knew each other before the incident.

Grant was taken by helicopter to Johns Hopkins Bayview Hospital, where he later died, authorities said.

Prince fled the school after the shooting and was arrested at a nearby home after numerous 911 calls reported him banging on windows and doors trying to enter houses, Gahler said. He noted the day of the shooting was Prince's first day at that school despite school starting earlier in the week.

Gov. Wes Moore called the shooting at Joppatowne High School a senseless act and said the state is praying for Grant's family, friends, teachers, mentors and loved ones.

"Every Marylander deserves to feel safe at school. Our administration will continue to support families, grassroots leaders, local law enforcement, and all of our partners as we work together to keep our schools, our communities, and our entire state safe," the governor said. "May we always remember our solemn obligation to build a better future for our children."

The shooting remains under investigation. Anyone with information about the incident should contact Detective Ross with the Harford County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division at 443-409-3555.