Maryland Teen Walks Free After Shocking Verdict in Greenbelt Park Shooting

GREENBELT, Md. (AP) — A 16-year-old accused in the April shooting that injured five teenagers in Greenbelt, Maryland, has been acquitted after spending over six months in detention.

Defense attorney Tom Mooney, representing the teen, announced the acquittal in a statement Wednesday, expressing relief for his client, whose identity remains undisclosed due to legal restrictions. “A young man has been acquitted today after spending more than six months in detention for a crime he did not commit,” Mooney said.

The shooting occurred on April 19 during an unsanctioned senior skip day party in a Greenbelt park. Two teenagers, a 14-year-old and a 16-year-old, were arrested shortly after the incident. According to Mooney, investigators focused excessively on implicating his client rather than pursuing alternative suspects or evidence.

“This investigative tunnel vision ultimately culminated in a trial where, after careful consideration of the evidence — or lack thereof — the court found him not guilty,” Mooney added, emphasizing the role of reasonable doubt in the verdict.

During the trial, Mooney argued that law enforcement’s singular focus on his client led to a lack of thorough investigation into other viable leads. The court’s decision underscores the importance of unbiased investigative practices and sufficient evidence to secure a conviction.

The other accused teen, a 14-year-old, is scheduled to stand trial in December, according to WJLA-TV.

The April shooting left five teenagers injured. Fortunately, all were treated and released from the hospital shortly afterward. The case remains a somber reminder of the impact of violence on young lives and the importance of ensuring justice is served through meticulous investigation.