Gun Incident at East Columbia Library

Police responded to the East Columbia Library vicinity for a report of an armed person for the second time in one week.

Officials were called to the 6600 block of Cradlerock Way Thursday night after receiving a report that someone pointed an object that appeared to be a handgun at a vehicle, according to a statement from the Howard County Police Department.

When officers arrived at the library parking lot after 9 p.m. on Thursday, the suspect was no longer in the area, the statement said. He had reportedly run away with a group.

The suspicious situation comes a week after a 16-year-old from Columbia was arrested for having a BB gun on the pathway near the library. Police said the suspect in that case, which occurred on Friday, Nov. 13, has been charged.

Authorities are trying to determine whether the two incidents may be connected.

Police say the pathway patrol section of the department is allowing officers to have more presence in the area.