Police: 17-year-old in critical condition following shooting

A 17-year-old is in critical condition after an overnight shooting in Annapolis, according to Annapolis Police.

Police were dispatched to the unit block of Marcs Court in the Bay Ridge Gardens community at about 1 a.m. Wednesday for a report of a juvenile male being shot in the upper body, according to a news release.

The teen was airlifted to a local trauma center in critical condition, police said in the release.

Annapolis detectives are investigating the shooting. No suspects have been arrested.

Investigators believe a shooter or shooters entered the neighborhood in a vehicle, exited the vehicle and fired several shots at the teen, who was standing outside, according to the release. The shooter or shooters then drove off.

Anyone with information on the shooting is asked to contact detectives at 410-2603439, or call Metro Crime Stoppers at 1-866-7LOCKUP and submit an anonymous tip. Tips that lead to an arrest or indictment can lead to a cash reward of up to $2,000.

The shooting occurred hours after the Bay Ridge Gardens community held its National Night Out celebration Tuesday night, which Annapolis Del. Shaneka Henson attended. Henson was once a Bay Ridge Gardens resident.

“You could really feel the community vibes there,” said Henson, a Democrat, adding that it was “heartbreaking to hear” about the shooting hours later.

“It’s horrible,” said the former Ward 6 alderwoman, who lived in the community for six years. She said she’s had fruitful discussions with the community’s management company, Rose Community Manage

ment, about improving safety there and that upgrades have been made, such as improved lighting and camera technology.

“Hopefully their investments will continue to materialize,” Henson said.

Ward 6 Alderman DaJuan Gay said he spoke to the victim’s family on Wednesday, as well as with the management company. He said he’s been in talks with the company about installing security gates or booths at entry points, but city staff need to be involved for that to happen.

“That has to be their first priority,” he said. “There’s so much traffic in and out of there.”

He noted that the shooting took place near the same spot where 30-year-old Tiara Taylor was shot and killed in 2019. No suspects have been charged in that incident.