Baltimore authorities have announced the arrest of 51-year-old Johnnie Teague in connection with the death of his 16-year-old ward, Jibreal Payne. According to a post by the Baltimore Police, Teague was taken into custody without incident at his residence in the 400 block of North Clinton Street on August 28, following a warrant for his arrest issued the previous day.
Southeast District Homicide Arrest
— Baltimore Police (@BaltimorePolice) August 28, 2024
In reference to the death of 16-year-old Jibreal Payne, investigators have arrested the victim's guardian, 51-year-old Johnnie Teague.
On August 27, 2024, a warrant was approved and issued for Teague's arrest. On August 28, 2024, Warrant… pic.twitter.com/j0yJkoiv9v
The investigation into Payne's death began earlier this year when officers responded to a residence on the same block to support the fire department. It was there they discovered the teen unresponsive, and despite efforts to save him, he was pronounced deceased at Johns Hopkins Hospital. Authorities noted Payne exhibited burn marks on his body, which prompted further inquiry. An autopsy by the Medical Examiner's Office eventually led to the classification of Payne's death as a homicide due to injuries sustained on January 27, as relayed by the Baltimore Police.
Prior to the arrest, Homicide detectives had assumed control of the investigation following the Medical Examiner's notification on August 23 that Payne's death was indeed a homicide. The detectives transported Teague to the Homicide Unit for a briefing before moving him to the Central Booking Intake Facility, where he will be charged with murder in the first degree.
