After months of little movement and a neighborhood on edge, police in Greenbelt and Prince George’s County say they have made a major break in the killing of 14-year-old Carltin Bayong. On Friday, authorities announced that four people have been arrested in connection with the October 5, 2025 drive-by shooting that took the freshman’s life in the Franklin Park community.
Investigators said the suspects include two 18-year-olds and two male juveniles. The four are the first people charged in the case, which has weighed heavily on Bayong’s classmates at Eleanor Roosevelt High School and on residents who watched the fallout unfold in their own courtyard.
According to DC News Now, Greenbelt Police and Prince George’s County Police worked together to identify and arrest the suspects earlier this week. The outlet reports they are facing counts of first-degree murder, second-degree murder, first-degree assault and using a firearm in the commission of a violent felony. Police have not released information on bail or initial court appearances.
October Shooting
On Oct. 5, 2025, officers rushed to the Franklin Park area after witnesses reported gunfire and chaos in a courtyard, according to The Washington Post. They found a 14-year-old boy suffering from a gunshot wound.
Investigators later described the attack as a drive-by. A silver Infiniti with dark-tinted windows allegedly sped into the courtyard, and multiple rounds were fired at a group of young people gathered there, the reporting states. Bayong was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Family And Community Reaction
In the days that followed, grief spread quickly. Local coverage described vigils, a GoFundMe effort and messages from school officials trying to comfort stunned students and families. Greenbelt News Review noted that school leaders labeled the killing "neighborhood gun violence" and urged families to work with investigators.
Daily Voice and other outlets reported on Bayong’s family ties to Cameroon and the strong show of support from neighbors who rallied around his relatives in the aftermath of the shooting.
Charges And Investigation
Police say the arrests are the result of a months-long investigation that is still very much active, according to DC News Now. Detectives are continuing to follow leads, and authorities emphasized that the serious slate of charges could bring lengthy prison terms if prosecutors secure convictions.
Investigators are still asking anyone with information to come forward as they work to fill in the remaining gaps in the case.
Wider Context
Bayong’s killing is the latest high-profile shooting to rattle Greenbelt in recent years. The city is still dealing with the fallout from a widely reported 2024 "senior skip day" shooting that injured several teens in a park. In the wake of that incident, officials increased patrols and added cameras in public spaces, according to coverage of the response by The Washington Post.
Community leaders have stressed that tip lines and cooperation with detectives, combined with outreach to young people, are key pieces of any long-term effort to curb shootings.
Police once again urged anyone with information to contact the Greenbelt Police Department or Prince George’s County detectives. Local reporting notes that tips can be submitted to help advance the investigation. Greenbelt News Review has shared additional background and contact details for residents who may be able to assist.
