17-Year-Old defendant faces charges in 23 separate cases, including First-Degree Murder, Carjacking, and Robbery with a Deadly Weapon
Baltimore, Md. (June 25, 2026) - Today, Baltimore City State’s Attorney Ivan J. Bates joined Mayor Brandon M. Scott and Police Commissioner Richard Worley to announce charges against five juvenile defendants and three adult defendants for charges including First-Degree Murder, Carjacking, Robbery with a Deadly Weapon, and more. The State’s Attorney’s Homicide Unit intends to pursue prosecutions in the adult court system for all eligible juvenile defendants. Individuals charged are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at trial.
“These cases underscore a reality we have been warning about for years, that violent juvenile crime is not a Baltimore City problem; it is a statewide problem that crosses jurisdictional boundaries and impacts entire communities. These defendants are accused of committing an alarming series of offenses, including murder, carjackings, armed robberies, and other violent crimes that stretched across Baltimore City, Baltimore County, and Howard County,” said Baltimore City State’s Attorney Ivan J. Bates. “What is particularly significant is that, because of the timing of these arrests, these cases will begin in the adult criminal justice system and be handled by our experienced Homicide Division. Had these same offenses occurred next year, many of these defendants would have automatically started in the juvenile system under Maryland’s new automatic charging law. The severity of these allegations demands a response that prioritizes accountability, public safety, and justice for victims. Our prosecutors have the experience and expertise necessary to handle these complex and violent cases, and we will continue working with our law enforcement partners across jurisdictions to ensure those responsible are held accountable. This case serves as a stark reminder that juvenile violence requires a coordinated statewide response.”
The following adult defendants face charges:
Dash Hayne, age 22, is charged in three Armed Robbery cases involving five victims in the early morning hours of April 23, 2026.
Colekela Hamilton, age 18, is charged in three Armed Robbery cases involving five victims in the early morning hours of April 23, 2026.
Mekhi Clark, age 21, is charged in four cases involving Car Theft, Armed Robbery, Armed Carjacking, and related charges for events that occurred in the early morning hours of June 10, 2026.
“I want to thank BPD detectives for their work on this case, which sends a strong message: we will not tolerate violent groups operating in our city,” said Mayor Brandon M. Scott. “It also underscores what I’ve said for many years: we need to build a new system for juvenile accountability from the ground up. I also want to be clear that the young people arrested as part of this case are not representative of the vast majority, who are on the right path and making Baltimore proud each and every day. The city continues to do our part to invest in positive engagement opportunities for our young people, including through our summer youth engagement strategy, ‘In the Mix in ‘26.’ But this starts in the home. Parents, take responsibility, and be a parent to your child. Know where they are, and if you see them putting themselves or others in danger, hold them accountable—or we will.”
A 17-year-old juvenile defendant has been charged in 23 separate cases, including the First-Degree Murder of Jamal Ferguson on May 7, 2026, at the 4400 block of Fairview Avenue. The Defendant is also charged with the Attempted First-Degree Murder and Attempted Second-Degree Murder of another victim, as well as numerous assault and gun charges.
“This investigation highlights both the outstanding work of our detectives and the serious challenges we continue to face with violent juvenile crime,” said Police Commissioner Richard Worley. “For months, investigators worked around the clock alongside prosecutors and our law enforcement partners to identify and apprehend individuals accused of terrorizing victims through a series of violent offenses, including murder, armed robberies, carjackings, and more. The allegations in this case are alarming, particularly given the age of many of those involved. Today’s announcement demonstrates our commitment to holding those responsible accountable, while continuing the work of making our communities and neighborhoods safer.”
Charging documents allege that on May 7, 2026, at approximately 3:13 a.m., 38-year-old Jamal Ferguson was shot and killed while armed suspects attempted to carjack him and his companion at the 4400 block of Fairview Avenue. During the course of the investigation, documents allege that more than one suspect approached the victim’s vehicle, opened a door, and ordered occupants out of the car at gunpoint. Mr. Ferguson attempted to drive away as the suspects fired into the vehicle, striking him multiple times.
During the course of the investigation, detectives determined that this carjacking and murder was not an isolated incident, but rather a part of a larger pattern of violent offenses involving multiple suspects, firearms, stolen and/or repeated suspect vehicles, and early-morning attacks on isolated victims. Documents allege that the suspects commonly approached victims in groups, displayed firearms equipped with colored lasers or mounted lights, ordered victims to the group or out of their cars, stole personal property, and fled. Several incidents also involved suspects physically assaulting victims and threatening to shoot them.
Detectives identified 22 additional carjackings, robberies, or related incidents from April 23, 2026, through May 24, 2026, involving the same group of suspects.
In association with this investigation, the following juveniles were arrested:
A 15-year-old female juvenile was arrested and charged with several counts of armed robbery and related offenses
A 16-year-old male juvenile was arrested and charged with Illegal Possession of a Handgun in a Vehicle and related offenses.
A 15-year-old male juvenile was arrested and charged with Theft and related offenses.
A 16-year-old male juvenile was charged with an outstanding AWOL warrant.
During the course of this takedown, Detectives searched homes at the following locations:
Two homes in Baltimore City at the 3000 block of Normount Court and the 1000 block of Wilmot Court.
One home in Howard County at the 3100 block of Wheaton Way.
Three homes in Baltimore County at the 1900 block of Cross Trails Road, the 5700 block of Leiden Road, and the 600 block of New Jersey Avenue.
Seven firearms were seized as a result of these searches, including five 9mm handguns, one .380 caliber handgun, and a Polymer 80 handgun.