$10K Reward For Tips In Marshall Football Player Shooting

SEVERN, MD — A $10,000 reward is being offered for tips that lead to the arrest of whoever shot a Marshall University football player in the back on New Year's Day at a Severn party. His family says the Columbia athlete is paralyzed by the gunshot wound he suffered trying to protect his girlfriend.

Anne Arundel County Police Department say the reward is for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person(s) responsible for the shooting of Marshall redshirt freshman defensive tackle Larry Aaron. His mother told media her son was struck by stray gunfire during a party Monday attended by more than 100 people.

Investigators say several party-goers recorded video and took photos with cell phones at the party, which detectives would like to review in the hunt for the shooter. Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Pattana at 410-222-8763. To remain anonymous, call 410-222-8610 or the department's 24-hour tip line at 410-222-4700.

"He was standing up against the wall with his girlfriend and two guys got into an argument, and they just started shooting and my son stepped in front of his girlfriend to shield her, and one of the bullets got him," Aaron's father told WBAL TV.

Melissa Aaron told the Times Dispatch newspaper in Huntington, West Virginia, that her son and some friends heard of the Severn party via social media and decided to attend. She doesn't believe her son was targeted; his injuries are not considered life threatening.

"It is in his spine and he has no feeling in his legs," Melissa Aaron told the newspaper. "They can't remove it because they are afraid it could be dangerous and hinder him even more to do so. It is right in the middle of his spine."

She said a fight broke out at the party and then gunshots.

Anne Arundel County Police say they cannot release the name of the shooting victim.

"Out of respect for the victims and their families we do not identify victims of violent crime without their permission," police spokesman Lt. Ryan Frashure said. "We have attempted to contact the adult male victim's family but have yet to receive a response if they approve us releasing his information."

Officers were called about 1 a.m. to the 7800 block of Bastille Road in Severn for reports of a large party under way at the address and located the victim with a gunshot wound to his back. He was taken to Maryland Shock Trauma.

Investigators learned of a second victim, a 17-year-old boy who left the scene before police arrived. The teen was shot in the arm and driven to St. Agnes Hospital by a friend. The youth was treated for a non-life
threatening injury.

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