Three Charged in June Shooting of 15 Year Old

A sword-swinging man who attacked police was shot to death and three other people are facing attempted murder charges in the off Old Frederick Road in Marriottsville.

Baltimore County police said that while making two of the arrests, an officer was struck with a sword wielded by Ronald M. Cox, 48. The officer opened fire and Cox was killed.

The death occurred at the home of one of the suspects, Laura Christian Karr, 24, of Reisterstown. Also arrested there was Donald George Peoples Jr., 21, of Baltimore. After those arrests, officers went to another location and arrested a third person, Chiquita Sketers, 21, of Randallstown.

The three face charges of attempted first- and second degree murder, kidnapping, assault and gun charges. 

According to police, on June 19, Peoples and Karr abducted the 15-year-old while he was walking near his home in Reisterstown. They then drove to get Sketers, who brought a long barrel rifle and told the 15-year-old that he was going to die.

Investigators believe they drove to a field off of Old Frederick Road in Marriottsville, ordered the 15-year-old out of the car at gunpoint, and as he walked away, police say Peoples shot him in the back of the head.

A resident found the victim lying in a field. He was taken to University of Maryland Shock Trauma and released from the hospital on Wed., July 11.

Police interviewed the victim and received an anonymous tip, which led them to Peoples and Karr and a 2012 silver Mazda as the car used as the kidnapping. Additional informatiom led them to Sketers.

Suspects matching Peoples’ and Karr’s descriptions have reportedly been seen driving a silver car in the 15-year-old’s neighborhood and selling drugs, according to police.

Police have not said if or how the victim is connected to the suspects.

On the same day of the shooting, police said a drug dealer and his girlfriend – matching descriptions of Peoples and Karr – were robbed.

Peoples and Karr are being held at the Howard County Detention Center; Sketers will also be taken there today.

Read earlier coverage of the shooting:

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