Search for suspect underway after teenage girl shot, killed walking home from school in Prince George's County
PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, Md. - Police are investigating after a teenage girl was shot and killed while walking home from her high school in Lanham Monday afternoon.
Around 3:45 p.m., officers responded to the area of Wood Stream Dr. and Palamar Dr. for a report of a shooting.
Investigators say at this time, it appears the teen was walking on Palamar Dr. when she came upon some kind of dispute taking place between two groups of people. A gun was fired and the teen was hit. She was taken to an area hospital and was first listed in critical condition but later died.
The teen girl has been identified as Jayda Medrano-Moore of Greenbelt, MD. Officials have confirmed that she was a student at DuVal High School.
Police have not yet identified a suspect in the shooting.
"We are determined to find the suspect who callously, in broad daylight, killed one of our teenagers in broad daylight," said Prince George’s County Police Acting Deputy Chief Zachary O’Lare.
Afterschool activities at DuVal and nearby Robert Goddard Middle School were cut short and the schools were briefly put on lockdown, police say. Students have since been released but a boys soccer game between DuVal and Bowie High School scheduled for Monday night has been canceled.
Prince George's County Public Schools released a brief statement on social media, saying "It is with heavy hearts that we mourn the tragic loss of a DuVal High School student. Grief counselors and mental health professionals will be on campus tomorrow to support students and staff as they cope with this loss."
Speaking to press Monday evening, Prince George’s County Public Schools Superintendent Millard House II said the district plans to speed up planned security enhancements at DuVal.
The Uvalde Foundation For Kids, a nonprofit organization formed after the 2022 mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to the suspect. The investigation is ongoing.
This is a developing story. Check back with FOX 5 for updates.