Regional Desk: Maryland State Police have charged three people in connection with the shooting death of 5-year-old Na’Ryah Adams in Linkwood, Maryland.
Two others have been charged in connection with an earlier shooting in Hurlock, Maryland. Investigators allege the two shootings were connected. Officials said the violence began several hours before the Linkwood shooting when a 15-year-old boy became involved in an altercation with a 14-year-old at a residence on Gold Rush Lane in Hurlock.
According to the preliminary investigation, the 15-year-old, identified by police as the nephew of 30-year-old Ryan Adams, called Adams following the altercation. Police allege Adams arrived at the residence a short time later and opened fire, striking the 14-year-old.
(Harris)
Several hours later, at approximately 2:17 a.m. on August 11, Maryland State Police responded to a residence in the 3900 block of Ocean Gateway in Linkwood for a reported shooting. Arriving troopers found a 5-year-old girl and Adams suffering from suspected gunshot wounds. The child was pronounced dead at the scene. Adams was flown by Maryland State Police Aviation Command to a trauma center for treatment.
Investigators said they later developed information connecting the Hurlock shooting to the fatal shooting in Linkwood. According to court records, investigators identified Anthony D. Harris as an uncle of the 14-year-old who was shot in Hurlock. Police allege the Linkwood shooting was retaliation for the earlier shooting.
(Wongus)
Investigators allege surveillance video showed a dark-colored Jeep near the Linkwood residence shortly before the fatal shooting. Officials said Hurlock police officer encountered Harris driving a similar Jeep about 40 minutes after the shooting. Investigators also allege cell phone evidence showed Harris traveled to Hurlock from Salisbury before the shooting but left his phone in Hurlock during the time of the Linkwood shooting.
Police later searched locations associated with Harris and seized electronic devices. Investigators allege messages recovered from Harris’ phone included discussions about the shootings and his possession of a firearm matching the caliber of shell casings recovered at the Linkwood scene. Police also allege Harris discouraged others from posting photographs of his vehicle following the shooting.
(Ewing)
During the investigation, police said they uncovered communications between Harris and Lindsay Jo Ewing concerning the Hurlock and Linkwood shootings. According to court records, investigators allege Ewing and Harris discussed Harris’ risk of being caught and the destruction or alteration of evidence. Police said some messages had been deleted but were recovered through forensic examination of electronic devices.
Investigators allege Ewing used sources of information unavailable to the general public while employed at a defense attorney’s office to assist Harris in avoiding detection by law enforcement following the homicide. Court records further allege Ewing instructed Harris to wipe a phone known to investigators and provided him with information about the investigation that was not publicly available.
Adams has been charged with attempted first-degree murder, attempted second-degree murder, reckless endangerment and other related offenses. He remains hospitalized.
The 15-year-old has been charged with attempted first-degree murder and other related offenses. He is being held at the Lower Eastern Shore Children’s Center.
Anthony D. Harris, 26, of Hurlock, and Wendell A. Wongus III, 23, of Hurlock, have been charged with first-degree murder and other related offenses in connection with the Linkwood shooting.
Lindsay Jo Ewing, 42, of Cambridge, has been charged with accessory after the fact to first-degree murder and other related offenses.
Harris, Wongus and Ewing are being held without bond.
The Maryland State Police Homicide Unit continues to investigate with assistance from the Forensic Sciences Division, Special Operations Division, FBI, Hurlock Police Department and other law enforcement agencies.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Maryland State Police Homicide Unit tip line at 202-953-1903. Maryland State Police and the FBI are offering a reward of up to $25,000 for information that may lead to an arrest. Callers may remain anonymous.
