19-Year-Old Convicted In Double Fatal Shooting Of Teens Outside Columbia Mall

COLUMBIA, MD — A 19-year-old Columbia man has been found guilty in the February 2025 shooting death of two teenagers outside the Columbia Mall.

Following a bench trial, Howard County Circuit Court Judge Stephanie Porter returned guilty verdicts on all but one count.

Emmetson Zeah has been convicted of multiple charges, including two counts of first-degree murder, first-degree assault, use of a firearm in the commission of a violent crime, retaliation against a witness, reckless endangerment, firearms-related offenses and escape. He was acquitted of one count of obstruction of justice.

The victims were 16-year-old Michael Robertson and 15-year-old Blake McCray, both of Columbia.

McCray was critically injured in the shooting and later died at the trauma center while Robertson died at the scene. The victims and the suspect all attended HCPSS schools.

Detectives stated they believed Zeah targeted the victims. They found a gun and clothing Zeah wore during the shooting at his home. Zeah had been charged with violating his home monitoring the day before the double shooting. At the time of the double shooting, he faced charges of attempted murder for a separate shooting that happened just blocks from the mall on Feb. 14.

“This was a senseless and heartbreaking act of violence that took the lives of two young people far too soon and shattered the families who loved them,” said Howard County State’s Attorney Rich Gibson. “While no verdict can undo that loss, today’s decision delivers accountability and sends a clear message that this community will not tolerate this kind of violence. Our hearts remain with the victims’ families as they continue to grieve.”

Zeah is scheduled to be sentenced May 22.