Nonprofit To Be Created In Honor Of Howard County Siblings Fatally Shot

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — A GoFundMe put together to help Megan Ryan with the funeral arrangements of her two children, believed to be shot by their father, has surpassed expectations. Ryan now will use some of the proceeds to help other victims of domestic violence.

Howard County Police believe brother and sister Hailey Zanski, 15, and Braden Zanski, 17, were fatally shot by their father at their home in the 14000 block of Triadelphia Road in Glenelg Jan. 14. Christopher Zanski then fatally shot himself, police said. They believe the motive for the shooting was "believed to be domestic related," the police department noted. The kids' parents have been divorced since 2014, according to the Capital Gazette.

Connor Ferguson, organizer of the GoFundMe, expressed his gratitude to everyone who supported Ryan. The online fundraiser surpassed the $150,000 goal.

"While nothing will ever compensate for the loss of Megan's children, this fundraiser provides hope. You have provided hope to a wonderful mother who just lost the most important aspect of her life. Thank you for your outpouring of support and your display of compassion. Now the resources are there to begin the rebuilding process. As a friend of Megan's I couldn't thank you enough," Ferguson said.

Ferguson added that Ryan will be starting a non-profit honoring Braden and Hailey to help victims of domestic violence in the future.

Staff and students are continuing to find ways to heal after they learned of the violent deaths of two Glenelg High School students Jan. 14. Students and staff have held small memorials, the student government has hosted pajama pants days in honor of Hailey in green or blue preferably, as that was Braden's favorite color, according to the Capital Gazette. A Howard County Public Schools spokesperson told the Capital Gazette that additional mental health support staff would be at Glenelg High for “as long as they’re needed” as students continue to mourn the loss of their young classmates.

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