Joshua Gibson, 16, was simply walking down a Dundalk street when he became the victim of a random act of violence, police said Thursday as they announced the arrests of four people in connection with the murder.
“The circumstances are very bizarre,” said Baltimore County police spokesman Cpl. Mike Hill. “This, in fact, was a random act.”
Shortly before 9:30 p.m. on Jan. 28, three Dundalk teens ? Robert Louis Bragg, 18, Robert Lee Wood, 19, and William Russell Ferandes, 17? were driving around and came upon Gibson walking near Church and Searles roads, police said.
Wood and Ferandes then “decided they were going to get out of the car and go beat him up,” Hill said. “When they got out, they did physically assault him for absolutely no reason. The victim did not know any of the suspects.”
During the assault, Ferandes produced a handgun and shot Gibson, police said.
Bragg, who was driving the car, quickly drove away, while Wood and Ferandes ran back to Ferandes? house. Police said a 16-year-old girl took the gun from Ferandes at his request to conceal it, according to police.
The girl was arrested ? charged as a juvenile ? and released to her parents.
Hill said police are baffled by the senseless nature of the crime.
“There was absolutely no reason, except to go beat him up,” he said. “This must have just been a simple thought while they were driving along. It makes absolutely no sense.”
Police said the crime does not appear to be gang-related.
Bragg is facing charges of first-degree burglary and marijuana possession in unrelated cases.
Wood also is charged with marijuana possession, court records show.
Ferandes has no adult criminal record.
Bragg, Wood and Ferandes are being held at the Baltimore County Detention Center.
The investigation is continuing.
