New details reveal how deadly Essex shooting, barricade allegedly unfolded

BALTIMORE COUNTY, Md. — The 17-year-old suspect, Messiah Edwards, arrested in connection with the murder of a Baltimore County teenager appeared in court Wednesday, just one day after he had barricaded himself in a home in Middle River.

The teen is one of two suspects accused in the shooting death of Roman Wright, 17, on Bladen Road in Essex. Officials say both suspects are being charged with first-degree murder as adults.

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During Wednesday’s bail hearing, the district court judge noted the “extremely violent nature of the crime,” ordering that the teen remain in an adult facility. He said putting him in a juvenile detention center would put the others there in danger.

Neighbors, however, noted that what followed the crime put an entire community in danger, too.

“That was very scary. Very scary,” said a neighbor on Akin Circle, where the barricade situation took place.

Those who watched as the situation unfolded say they are still shaken up.

“I’ve been here 10 years, and nothing really happens like this,” said another neighbor named Richard.

After an hours-long standoff, authorities eventually arrested Edwards.

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“He was a child, so it was like, oh my God, but I was happy for the neighbors and the safety of everybody,” said the neighbor.

Newly obtained court documents explain how the shooting allegedly unfolded.

Investigators say video surveillance footage from nearby homes shows the two suspects interacting with the victim.

It states that after two minutes, one suspect fired at least two shots at the victim before running into a home on Bladen Road.

The two suspects were then seen leaving the rear of that home, according to investigators.

The documents describe how later that day, patrol officers were able to stop, identify, and detain the 15-year-old, but Edwards was somehow able to get away.

“He ran into my house and put my children in danger,” the neighbor claims. “I grabbed him and said, ‘Get out of my house!'”

She said Edwards then ran into another house, where he barricaded himself.

“All the neighbors said, ‘We don’t know him!'” she said. “You cannot put other people in jeopardy because you did something wrong. It doesn’t make sense!”

“I think something needs to be done through the legislation to get these guns off the streets and out of the hands of these young kids,” Richard said.

The 15-year-old already waived his bail hearing this week.

Both suspects will continue to be held behind bars as this investigation continues.