Child Injured In Shopping Center Shooting, Reward Offered: Howard County Police

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — A reward of up to $5,000 is being offered for information in the Feb. 13 shooting at the Wilde Lake Village Center. Shortly after 3 p.m., police responded to the 5300 block of Village Center Drive for a report of shots fired. Police found a 43-year-old woman who had been shot. She was treated and released from the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center. Police have determined that she happened to be in the area at the time of the shooting and was not involved in the incident.

Police later learned that her 4-year-old child also suffered an injury from a suspected bullet fragment striking his arm. He was treated and released, too.

Tony Blunt Jr., 19, of Columbia, walked into Howard County General Hospital a short time later with a gunshot wound. He was transferred to Shock Trauma where he is listed in fair condition.

Through their investigation, police believe the shooting stemmed from an altercation among several subjects known to each other, including Blunt. The motive remains under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 410-313-STOP or HCPDCrimeTips@howardcountymd.gov. Callers may remain anonymous.