In the late afternoon of February 12, 2025, the life of 39-year-old Jamaal Roberts, a Black man, was tragically cut short in a Hagerstown, Maryland apartment building. Originally from Rocky Mount, North Carolina, Roberts was discovered by Hagerstown Police in the foyer of a residence in the 200 block of West Franklin Street, suffering from a gunshot wound to his chest.
Despite the efforts of paramedics, he succumbed to his injuries at the scene.
The investigation into the shooting quickly pointed to a suspect, 28-year-old Kevin Wilfred Huling, a resident of Hagerstown's West End. Authorities were able to track Huling to a home on Wakefield Road, less than a mile from where the shooting occurred. He was found hiding inside a closet and was taken into custody by the police. It was later learned that the suspect and the victim were known to each other.
Following his arrest, Huling was charged with first-degree murder, second-degree murder, first-degree assault, and multiple firearm-related offenses. He was subsequently transported to the Washington County Detention Center, where he was held without bail. Court records revealed that Huling had a prior conviction for possession of narcotics with intent to distribute. Evidence recovered from the crime scene included two live 9mm cartridges and an expended cartridge. Investigators utilized surveillance footage and witness accounts to piece together Huling's movements after he fled the apartment. The incident was described by authorities as an isolated event with no ongoing threat to the public. This tragic event marked the first homicide in Hagerstown for the year 2025.
