BALTIMORE COUNTY, Md. (WBFF) — Two teenagers facing charges in the 2024 Rodgers Forge shooting pleaded guilty on Monday in Baltimore County Court.
17-year-old Kai Wilson and Kamar Thompson will now face sentencing for their roles in the shooting of local youth sports coach Mark McKenzie.
The pair both originally faced several charges, including attempted first-degree murder, but on Monday, they entered into an Alford Plea, meaning they maintain their innocence but at the same time admit that the state has enough evidence to convict them.
Both have been charged as adults.
Wilson pleaded guilty to attempted second-degree murder and using a gun in the commission of a crime.
Thompson pleaded guilty to attempted robbery and using a gun in the commission of a crime.
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Wilson was first to appear before the judge on Monday, smiling and appearing amused at times while his lawyer was instructing him. Thompson maintained a more somber attitude during his hearing.
Wilson was 15, and Thompson was 16 at the time of the shooting back on September 13th 2024. Police say around 11:30 a.m., McKenzie was in an alley behind his home removing soccer balls from his car. Prosecutors say a gunman, now identified as Wilson, approached McKenzie, pulling out a semi-automatic handgun and saying, “You know what this is.”
Investigators say as McKenzie attempted to defend himself, the gun fired into his stomach area. Wilson ran off and went into a car with the getaway driver, now identified as Thompson.
Neighbors in Rodgers Forge reflected back on the day like it was yesterday, calling for consequences of the teens who they say put McKenzie and his family through suffering.
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“I’ve lived here for 27 years, and I’ve never heard of anything like this,” one neighbor said. “I hope that they are able to understand the consequences of what they did and also get some rehab.”
“The things that happen in the City start crawling up to the County, unfortunately, and it was pretty sad, I mean that person was in the hospital for a long, long time, and it took a while for him to recover,” another neighbor said. “I think the problem now is most of the crimes are committed by juveniles, and there are no consequences, so they know they can get away with all kinds of stuff.”
McKenzie was present in court during the plea acceptance. Prosecutors say he’s now had multiple surgeries, with more expected.
Thompson is expected to be sentenced on May 6th, and Wilson is expected to be sentenced on July 13th.
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