In a somber assembly of community and grief, a vigil for 15-year-old Warren Curtis Grant drew at least 100 people Sunday evening in Edgewood following the tragic incident at Joppatowne High School where the young student lost his life to a gunshot wound amid a fight. According to a report by the Baltimore Sun, The gathering, punctuated by the release of blue balloons into the sky, Grant's favorite color, and attendees donning shirts that read "Gone too soon," took place on a local basketball court where the teen was known to frequent.
Harford County Public Schools has announced an immediate closure of five schools, including Joppatowne High, which will remain closed from Monday to Wednesday in response to this heart-wrenching loss. The neighboring Magnolia Elementary, Magnolia Middle, Joppatowne Elementary, and Riverside Elementary schools will be closed on Monday only; activities such as before and after-school care are canceled until classes resume. This was stated in a release from the school district and reported by WMAR-2 News.
The Baltimore Sun reported that classmate Natalia Hardy recounted at the vigil, "He was chill and laid-back and he did not bother nobody. " A woman stepped forward during the vigil, her voice firm despite sorrow, reminding the young attendees to chase success in education and life as a tribute to Grant's aspirations; Viateria Lyons echoed a mother's gratitude: "He kept my son out of trouble. He loved my family, and we love him. We will never forget him."
As the community processes the trauma, Harford County Public Schools will provide counseling services. School counselors, school psychologists, and social workers will be available at three locations in Edgewood starting at 10 a.m. Monday and extended through Wednesday. The school district will communicate the details of these services and meal distributions on Monday. Changes in school operations were detailed in an announcement by WMAR-2 News.
The accused, 16-year-old Jaylen Prince, was apprehended and charged as an adult with offenses rising to murder and using a firearm in the commission of a felony among others, this development in the investigation was unveiled by the Sheriff's Office on Sunday, with more updates expected to unfold in the days to come.
