Police arrested a Columbia man yesterday and charged him with murder in the shooting death of another Columbia man in King’s Contrivance the previous day.
Evan Marcel Gaines, 18, of the 9800 block of Softwater Way, is charged with first- and second-degree murder, first-degree assault and handgun violations, according to Howard County police.
Gaines is charged with fatally shooting Tamba Karmor Nyorkor, 26. Nyorkor was found inside his Clocktower Lane apartment about 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, dead from a gunshot wound, according to Howard County police.
After the body was discovered, detectives interviewed a witness who identified Gaines as the shooter, according to charging documents. Police believe that Gaines was an acquaintance of Nyorkor’s and visited the apartment often, police said.
Cell phone records place Gaines at the area of the crime scene during the shooting, according to charging documents. During questioning by police, the documents state, Gaines said he was at the apartment at the time of the shooting but denied being the shooter.
At a bail review hearing today, Howard County District Court Judge Mary Reese ordered Gaines held without bond, according to state’s attorney spokesman Wayne Kirwan.
Neighbors of Nyorkor interviewed after the shooting expressed surprise that such a crime would occur in what they described as a mostly quiet neighborhood.
“I’ve been here about four years and it’s been mostly good with me,” said Eilleen Powell, a Clocktower Lane resident. “It’s a shame that this is coming to Columbia, to Howard County, because it’s a pretty good community.”
Earl Mason said he moved to Columbia four years ago because of its reputation as a safe community, but had noticed the area deteriorating. His son recently was mugged nearby, he said.
“It (crime) can happen anywhere,” he said.
Jasmine Lewis, who moved to the neighborhood four months ago, said she was frightened by the shooting.
“Hearing about a shooting is scary. Period,” she said.
Police are still investigating the murder and offering a reward of up to $2,500 for information. Anyone with information is asked to call the Howard County Police Department at 410-313-3200.
This is an updated version of a previous story.
Evan Marcel Gaines, 18, of the 9800 block of Softwater Way, is charged with first- and second-degree murder, first-degree assault and handgun violations, according to Howard County police.
Gaines is charged with fatally shooting Tamba Karmor Nyorkor, 26. Nyorkor was found inside his Clocktower Lane apartment about 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, dead from a gunshot wound, according to Howard County police.
After the body was discovered, detectives interviewed a witness who identified Gaines as the shooter, according to charging documents. Police believe that Gaines was an acquaintance of Nyorkor’s and visited the apartment often, police said.
Cell phone records place Gaines at the area of the crime scene during the shooting, according to charging documents. During questioning by police, the documents state, Gaines said he was at the apartment at the time of the shooting but denied being the shooter.
At a bail review hearing today, Howard County District Court Judge Mary Reese ordered Gaines held without bond, according to state’s attorney spokesman Wayne Kirwan.
Neighbors of Nyorkor interviewed after the shooting expressed surprise that such a crime would occur in what they described as a mostly quiet neighborhood.
“I’ve been here about four years and it’s been mostly good with me,” said Eilleen Powell, a Clocktower Lane resident. “It’s a shame that this is coming to Columbia, to Howard County, because it’s a pretty good community.”
Earl Mason said he moved to Columbia four years ago because of its reputation as a safe community, but had noticed the area deteriorating. His son recently was mugged nearby, he said.
“It (crime) can happen anywhere,” he said.
Jasmine Lewis, who moved to the neighborhood four months ago, said she was frightened by the shooting.
“Hearing about a shooting is scary. Period,” she said.
Police are still investigating the murder and offering a reward of up to $2,500 for information. Anyone with information is asked to call the Howard County Police Department at 410-313-3200.
This is an updated version of a previous story.
user comments (1)
user justthefacts says...
if we got rid of subsidized housing in columbia the problem would be solved overnight. my condo complex is a perfect example; the homeowners are good citizens and are law-abiding, while the subsidized renters could care less about our community and cause all of the trouble. we should not reward people for making bad choices in life by paying 3/4 to all of their rent if they are going to continue to commit crimes against our citizens. if we the taxpayers stop paying for them to live here, they will move out and columbia will return to being a great place to live.
Posted 3:52 PM, 10.10.08
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