Juvenile Suspect Dies After Ellicott City Triple Shooting: Police

ELLICOTT CITY, MD — Police have identified the suspect who shot a 16-year-old and her mother before turning the gun on himself New Year's Day in the girl's bedroom in Ellicott City. Both teens have died, according to Howard County police, who reported there was no indication of any relationship between them.

Sean Crizer, 15, of Alice Avenue in Ellicott City, was pronounced deceased at the University of Maryland R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center, police said Tuesday morning.

Crizer was wearing a mask during the shootings, and authorities said it was unclear if he was targeting the house or the girl, as he was allegedly responsible for at least two nearby home burglaries.

"At this stage of the investigation, police have not found a link between the suspect and the victim," police said in a statement Tuesday. "They are known to have lived in the same neighborhood and attended the same school, but police have not found any indication of a relationship between the two."

The shooting occurred after Charlotte Zaremba, 16, had been picked up from a New Year's Eve party by her parents.

Around 2 a.m., after they returned to their home in the 4800 block of Knoll Glen Drive, police said Suzanne Zaremba heard a scuffle in her daughter's bedroom and found a masked person struggling with the girl.

Crizer fired at the mother, daughter and then himself.

Charlotte Zaremba was taken to Howard County General Hospital, where she was pronounced deceased.

Her mother Suzanne Zaremba, 52, was treated at shock trauma and released Sunday, police said.

Crizer was in critical condition from a gunshot wound to the head Sunday and later died from the injury, according to authorities.

Police said the gun he used was stolen from a residence on nearby Marybeth Way weeks before.

Investigators allege Crizer was responsible for at least two home burglaries in recent weeks in the neighborhood, one on Alice Avenue and the other on Marybeth Way.

"Police do not know the motive in the homicide and do not know if Crizer was targeting Charlotte Zaremba or her home," officials said in a statement.

Charlotte Zaremba and Crizer attended Howard High School, which provided counseling and other support for students Monday upon their return from winter break.

Anyone with information may call the Howard County Police Department at 410-313-STOP or email investigators at HCPDcrimetips@howardcountymd.gov.

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