Jun 10, 2009 5:34 pm US/Eastern
Anne Arundel Police Make Arrests In Firebombing
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (WJZ) ―
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Anne Arundel County police make several arrests in relation to an Odenton firebombing back on June 3.
CBS
It's a story that's sparking controversy in Anne Arundel County as lawmakers and residents crack down on gang violence. Four people are under arrest in the firebombing of a home that some believe was retaliation for the murder of a teenager in the neighborhood.
On June 3, police say a molotov cocktail was launched at a stately Odenton townhouse as an act of retaliation for the slaying of 14-year-old Christopher Jones. He died in May after a severe gang-related beating, according to police.
For the firebombing, police charged 22-year-old Jonathan Myers, who they say is a member of the Dead Man Incorporated gang. They also charged three juveniles, two of whom are part of the New Threat gang. The other is "associated."
"They could have firebombed my house, mistaking it for the house they actually did. I have two young kids," said neighbor Ed Davis.
While police say they interviewed the juvenile who lives here as part of the Jones murder investigation, they did not identify him as a gang member. The suspects had a different idea.
"The victim of the firebombing was believed by the assailants to have been connected to the Crofton incident, which was not the case. It was a rumor that was going through the neighborhood, but there was absolutely no connection," said Anne Arundel County Fire Department Chief John Robert Ray.
Activities of at least two gangs identified in Anne Arundel County plague residents as the tangle of violence builds. The bombing happened the morning of Jones' funeral. Later that night, hundreds of people attended a community meeting, outraged and emotional.
"There's still some apprehension and a good deal of anger. We think these arrests will dissipate some of that anger," said Anne Arundel County Executive John Leopold.
"No, I'm not satisfied," said Jennifer Wiech.
She's the president of the homeowners association where the firebomb went off.
"I'm disgusted that that is occurring. How can we fix this without being notified that this is a real serious problem is an issue," she said.
"I think we've identified who the players are, who those self-proclaimed gang members are and we're going to go after them relentlessly," said Anne Arundel County Police Chief Colonel James Teare, Sr.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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