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Tag: schrom hills park

  • Man sentenced to life without parole in murder of Greenbelt teacher – WTOP News

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    A man has been sentenced to life without parole Friday in the killing a teacher from Greenbelt, Maryland, who went missing in July 2023.

    Police in Greenbelt, Maryland, released these photos of Mariame Toure Sylla. (Courtesy Greenbelt police)

    A man was sentenced Friday to life without parole in the killing of a teacher from Greenbelt, Maryland, who went missing in July 2023.

    Harold Landon III was convicted of first-degree murder in the death of Mariame Toure Sylla, 59.

    In June, Landon was found guilty in her death after prosecutors shared testimony that included graphic photos of Sylla’s remains, which were decapitated at the collar, with extremities amputated at both knees and shoulders.

    Sylla was last seen going for one of her regular walks through Schrom Hills Park on July 29, 2023. The Greenbelt community came together to search for the beloved third grade teacher, holding a vigil and passing out flyers to spread the word.

    The case shifted to a murder investigation on Aug. 1, 2023, when police were tipped off about human remains near a pond in Clinton.

    Traces of Sylla’s blood were consistent with those found on the remains.

    Investigators have said there’s no evidence Landon and Sylla had known each other.

    The teacher was known as “Madame Sylla” by her students at the Dora Kennedy French Immersion School.

    This story is developing. Stick with WTOP for the latest.

    WTOP’s John Domen and Gaby Arancibia contributed to this report.

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    Jessica Kronzer

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  • ‘Take Back the Park’ event held at site of ‘senior skip day’ shooting in Prince George’s Co. – WTOP News

    ‘Take Back the Park’ event held at site of ‘senior skip day’ shooting in Prince George’s Co. – WTOP News

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    An anti-gun violence event was held at a Greenbelt, Maryland, park 10 weeks following a ‘senior skip day’ shooting there that left five teenagers shot.

    An anti-gun violence event was held at a park in Greenbelt, Maryland on Saturday, 10 weeks following a ‘senior skip day’ shooting there that left five teenagers shot.

    Rep. Glenn Ivey, D-Md., hosted Saturday’s 2 p.m. ‘Take Back the Park’ event that invited members of the community to gather at Schrom Hills Park to discuss the battle against gun violence, the safety of teenagers and the wider community.

    “The community wants to reach out and stand together. We had a terrible incident at the park,” said Ivey. “We want to make sure we are doing everything we can to reach out to the community to fight gun violence.

    A pair of boys, ages 14 and 16, were charged as adults with attempted first-degree murder and weapons charges after five teenagers were wounded during a ‘senior skip day’ event that attracted 500 students to the park on April 19.

    Ivey told WTOP that he was pleased that U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy declared gun violence as a public health crisis on Tuesday.

    “I think it’s high time we recognize that,” said Ivey. “The White House rolled out their task force to reduce gun violence, and we have a state equivalent too.”

    He shared how those that have been touched by gun violence have come together to let their voices be heard.

    “Sadly, we got a lot of groups. Frequently, mothers and other family members have lost someone due to gun violence. Some of them were shot themselves, but survived. … They are coming together to work for legislation at the state and federal level,” Ivey said.

    He believes that the issue won’t be solved overnight, but through teamwork a difference can be made. “It took a long time to dig into this hole. We are going to have to work together to get
    out,” said Ivey.

    Others scheduled to speak during the 2-hour event included Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Aisha Braveboy and Greenbelt Mayor Emmett V. Jordan.

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    © 2024 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

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    Jimmy Alexander

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  • Two teens arrested in Greenbelt ‘senior skip day’ shooting that wounded 5 – WTOP News

    Two teens arrested in Greenbelt ‘senior skip day’ shooting that wounded 5 – WTOP News

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    Two teen boys have been arrested in connection with a shooting at a “senior skip day” gathering at a Greenbelt, Maryland, park that left five young people injured earlier this month. 

    A screenshot from body camera footage from a Greenbelt police officer shows officers running toward the sound of gunshots and a crowd dispersing after the shooting in Schrom Hills Park on April 19, 2024.(Courtesy Greenbelt Police Department)

    Two teen boys have been arrested in connection with a shooting at a “senior skip day” gathering at a Greenbelt, Maryland, park that left five young people injured earlier this month.

    The boys, aged 14 and 16, are charged as adults with attempted first-degree murder and weapons charges, Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Aisha Braveboy said at a news conference Monday afternoon.

    Five teens between the ages of 16 and 18 were shot and injured at Schrom Hills Park on April 19. They were among about 500 high school students who had gathered there that afternoon for an unsanctioned senior skip day event.

    All five have since been released from the hospital.

    “What happened at this park should never have happened,” Braveboy said. “My heart goes out to the families and those impacted directly by the senseless shootings that occurred here. Our young people deserve a future free from violence.”

    Greenbelt Police shared footage of its initial response to the shooting, including the moment shots rang out inside the park.

    The nearly minute-long video includes footage from a cruiser at the park, which captures the sound of a series of gunshots fired in quick succession. A large crowd can then be scene running through the parking lot.

    There’s also body camera footage that shows a group of officers nearby reacting to the sound of the shots. In that video, several officers can be seen running toward the shots, navigating through the dispersing crowd. The final frames of the video appear to show gunshot victims lying on the sidewalk.

    Witnesses helped identify the two teens boys charged in the shooting, and police said the U.S. Marshals Joint Fugitive Task Force took them into custody Monday. One was apprehended in the Bowie area, and the other in the District Heights area, police said.

    Authorities are not sharing the identities of either teen, even though they are charged as adults, because the teens will have a waiver hearing during which they could still be waived to the juvenile justice system.

    “As with any serious offense, especially those that potentially carry life sentences like attempted first-degree murder, these cases will be taken seriously,” Braveboy said.

    Greenbelt Police Chief Rick Bowers said investigators are still trying to determine the motive behind the shooting.

    According to Bowers, investigators do not believe the shooting was the result of an exchange of gunfire, but that two individuals were “directly responsible.”

    “These events are avoidable and needlessly ruin peoples’ lives, both the victims and the suspects,” Bowers said.

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    © 2024 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

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    Thomas Robertson

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