JOPPATOWNE, Md. — A 16-year-old boy was found guilty Thursday of murdering his classmate during a confrontation inside a school bathroom. Jaylen Prince was convicted of first-degree murder in the September 6, 2024, shooting death of 15-year-old Warren Grant at Joppatowne High School. The jury deliberated for approximately three hours before reaching its decision.
During the trial, evidence revealed that Prince shot Grant as a result of an altercation. Testimonies indicated the confrontation stemmed from a dispute over Grant’s girlfriend. Eyewitnesses reported that Prince, who reportedly pulled a gun from his backpack, threatened Grant before firing the fatal shot.
Harford County State’s Attorney Allison Healey expressed relief that justice was served for the victim’s family. “At just 15 years old, Warren’s life was taken in a place that should be safe for children,” she said. Healey emphasized that bringing a firearm into a school setting is unjustifiable and that the case should serve as a warning against making life-altering decisions.
In addition to first-degree murder, Prince was convicted on several related charges, including using a firearm in a violent crime and possession of a gun by someone under the legal age.
As the verdict was read, Prince displayed little emotion, while several onlookers, including members of the jury, were visibly affected. “This case weighed heavily on everyone involved,” Healey commented. “It’s a tragedy that a 15-year-old lost his life and a 16-year-old faces the consequences of such a grave act.”
Prince, who took the stand during the trial, insisted he did not intend to kill Grant. He claimed he drew the weapon as a means of self-defense, asserting that Grant was the aggressor in the fight. Prince stated that he had been threatened and had previously suffered losses due to gun violence, leading him to carry a firearm for protection.
The defense argued that the shooting was accidental, with Prince stating the gun discharged when Grant allegedly shook him. However, prosecutors presented a different narrative, citing video evidence showing Prince as the aggressor who threatened Grant multiple times before the shooting. Witnesses confirmed seeing Prince retrieve the gun and fire it before fleeing the scene.
The trial included testimony from Prince’s mother, Rykiech, who insisted that she was attentive to her son’s activities. She was questioned about missed school days and why ammunition was found in their home. Rykiech attributed these absences to her son’s injuries and school suspensions.
The prosecution revealed that the firearm used in the shooting has not been located. Digital forensics experts traced the weapon back to Prince, indicating he purchased it weeks before the shooting. Evidence showed Prince expressed intentions to dispose of the gun after the incident, which he claimed was due to panic.
Prince is set to be sentenced at 8:30 a.m. on September 2, where the court will determine the consequences of his actions, which have changed the lives of both families involved forever.