BALTIMORE, Md. — A teenage boy lost his life in a shooting incident in Baltimore County on Sunday afternoon, marking the area’s latest episode of gun violence. Police reported responding to reports of gunfire at approximately 2:10 p.m. in the 4000 block of Alan Drive in Arbutus, where they discovered the 16-year-old victim deceased from gunshot injuries.
This tragic event adds to a troubling count of violence in the county, which has seen 13 homicides this year, as per local crime data. Authorities are urging anyone with information on the incident to step forward and contact the Baltimore County Police Department or Metro Crime Stoppers to assist with the ongoing investigation.
Simultaneously, financial matters were also addressed by the county government last week when Baltimore County Executive Kathy Klausmeier unveiled a proposed $4.8 billion budget for Fiscal Year 2026. This budget plan is noteworthy as it maintains property tax rates, avoids cuts to crucial programs, and includes an allocation nearly $500 million for a “rainy day” fund.
The proposed financial plan does not fully accommodate the nearly $3 billion requested by county schools but promises to allocate more than was provided last year. A significant portion of the budget is dedicated to supporting the educational sector, ensuring continuing investment in the county’s future through its schools.
Elsewhere in Baltimore County, law enforcement has reported a breakthrough in a year-old case. An 18-year-old, Mehki Brown, was apprehended on charges of first-degree murder in connection to the 2024 death of 17-year-old Nester Nunez in Reisterstown. Nunez was fatally shot multiple times on June 9, 2024. His loss was profoundly felt by the community, as remembered by friend Chrisal Paguada, who described Nunez as a bright presence and a good-hearted individual.
Investigators linked the suspect to the crime following a lengthy investigation that included a search for a black sedan seen at the crime scene. The arrest marks a significant progress in the case, providing some solace to those affected by the tragedy.
In another incident in March involving police, an officer from the Wilkens Precinct was injured during a shootout in a parking lot in Catonsville. The confrontation started when the alleged shooter, later identified as Andrew Britt, an elementary school teacher from Baltimore City, engaged police officers at a gas pump after circling the precinct’s premises. Both the officer and the assailant were hospitalized, but the officer has since been released from Shock Trauma to continue recovery at home.
As the community reels from these events, the combined efforts of increased law enforcement and strategic budget allocations aim to foster a safer and more resilient Baltimore County.