The search for a fifth suspect in connection with a January homicide in Howard County has ended with the arrest of 17-year-old Jemik Parker. After remaining at large for four months, Parker was located in Louisville, Kentucky, and brought back to face charges. In a joint announcement, Howard County Police Chief Gregory Der and County Executive Calvin Ball highlighted the collaborative efforts that led to Parker's arrest last Thursday, revealing that he was apprehended using multiple investigative leads. Given the nature of this crime and Parker's elusiveness, it must be noted that his identity as a juvenile was released to the public, which remains an exception to Maryland state law but was deemed necessary for facilitating his apprehension and ensuring public safety.
According to the original report by Howard County Police, Parker has been charged as an adult with first- and second-degree murder for his alleged role as the shooter in the death of 17-year-old Lance Carrington. The incident took place during an attempted robbery in Columbia on Jan. 14, where police discovered Carrington deceased in a parked vehicle with a loaded handgun in his possession. Reportedly, the group conspired to rob Carrington of that weapon. Four other suspects have previously been charged, including Janae Baker, 18; Kendall Stagg, 18; Charles Epperson Jr., 19, all of Columbia, and Jeremiah Robinson, 20, who was apprehended in March bearing no fixed address.
Howard County authorities urge anyone with additional information about this crime to come forward. Police can be contacted at 410-313-STOP or via email at [email protected]. The reward for information leading to further developments in the case is up to $10,000, with no claimants at the time of writing.
