BALTIMORE COUNTY, Md. (WBFF) — For many Rodgers Forge residents, the memories of a shooting that critically injured neighbor Mark McKenzie are still fresh.
On Monday, Kai Wilson, who was 15 at the time of the shooting, pleaded guilty to attempted murder and received a 25-year sentence.
ALSO READ | Teen sentenced to 25 years in 2024 Rodgers Forge shooting
Prosecutors said the sentence exceeded state guidelines by 10 years.
“I’d say the sentence was fair and appropriate,” Baltimore County Assistant State’s Attorney Matt Darnbrough said.
He described the shooting as an attack on “a man outside his own home…a soccer coach taking equipment out of his car,” who “was approached in broad daylight and shot outside his home.”
Darnbrough said the sentence was meant to send a broader warning.
“I think the message is if you participate in this kind of crime it’ll be dealt with seriously,” he said.
Some people in the community questioned whether the punishment was appropriate for a teenager.
“Not for such a young child. The brain isn’t developed until their 20’s,” neighbor Rolf Klem said.
ALSO READ | 15-year-old arrested in Rodgers Forge shooting linked to other crimes, police say
Residents said the randomness of the shooting continues to unsettle the neighborhood, even as people try to move forward.
I think it’s one of those situations where you don’t think it’ll happen until it does. It’s a wake up call unfortunately,” one resident said.
Another resident said neighbors have become more watchful and supportive since the shooting.
“Definitely everybody’s keeping an eye on one another and supporting their neighbors and stuff like that,” the resident said.
“It could have been anybody and that’s the thing that creates fear initially. People have rebounded. People say it’s a one off but it’s not…you hear about it every day,” Klem said.
Local Story
