Baltimore police have arrested a 17-year-old male who they believe was involved in a mass shooting at a block party last weekend that killed two people and injured 28 others.
The teen was taken into custody after police executed a search warrant at his residence, the Baltimore Police Department said in a Facebook post on Friday.
Police described the teen as a “juvenile person of interest” in the case and said he is being charged with several gun crimes, including possession of a firearm by a minor, assault weapon possession, reckless endangerment and having a handgun in a vehicle.
Michael Clinkscale, an attorney for the unnamed teen, told the New York Times that his client told him he did not have a weapon at the party. Clinkscale noted the teen has not been charged with homicide or attempted homicide.
“He’s a good young man and he’s saying he was afraid like everyone else” at the block party, Clinkscale told the outlet. “He was running away from the shooting. He was actually shot in the lower left leg.”
The investigation is ongoing. Authorities believe there were multiple shooters. Police are offering a $28,000 reward for information that leads to additional arrests and charges.
Three victims remain in the hospital in fair condition, police said.
The shooting killed 18-year-old Aaliyah Gonzales and 20-year-old Kylis Fagbemi and injured more than two dozen victims aged 13 to 32 years old.
Baltimore mayor Brandon Scott said bringing the shooters to justice is the city’s “number one priority.”
“Today’s arrest is a signal that with the community’s help we can get justice for Aaliyah, Kylis, and everyone who has been impacted by this tragedy – and Baltimoreans have, my word that we will not rest until we do,” he said.