Emmetson Zeah Sentenced In 2 Teens' Murders

Emmetson Zeah, 19, has been sentenced in the murders of 16-year-old Michael Robertson and 15-year-old Blake McCray, all of Columbia

By Kristin Danley-Greiner, Patch Staff

May 22, 2026 9:55 pm EDT

Following a bench trial earlier this year, Zeah was 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 and other charges. (Photo courtesy of the Howard County Police)

COLUMBIA, MD — Emmetson Zeah, the 19-year-old from Columbia found guilty of the Feb. 22, 2025, murders of two teenagers outside The Mall in Columbia, has been sentenced.

The victims were 16-year-old Michael Robertson and 15-year-old Blake McCray, both of Columbia. Howard County Police responded to a report of gunfire in the mall parking lot near the bus stop outside Lidl shortly before 6 p.m.

McCray was critically injured in the shooting and later died at a 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, 2025.

Following a bench trial earlier this year, Zeah was 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.

Howard County Circuit Court Judge Stephanie Porter sentenced Zeah to life without the possibility of parole, plus an additional 70 years in prison.

“Today’s sentence reflects the devastating consequences of a calculated act of violence that stole the lives of two young people and forever altered the lives of their families,” said Howard County State’s Attorney Rich H. Gibson, Jr. “A life without parole sentence plus 70 years ensures that Emmetson Zeah will never again have the opportunity to inflict harm on our community. While no sentence can bring Michael and Blake back, we hope this outcome provides a measure of justice and closure to the families who have endured
unimaginable loss.”