In what was supposed to be a typical evening at the Mall in Columbia, a burst of violence shattered the peace and ended the life of 17-year-old Angelo Little. On July 27, 2024, gunshots echoed through the mall's food court area, sending shoppers scrambling for safety. When the chaos subsided, Angelo Little was found deceased, the victim of a targeted shooting that authorities believe stemmed from an altercation.
This tragic event was not the first time Little had been a target of gun violence; he had survived a previous shooting in April 2023 where he was shot nine times.
The investigation into Little's death quickly focused on identifying a suspect who was seen fleeing the mall after the shooting. Surveillance footage played a crucial role in the investigation, showing the suspect's movements before and after the fatal encounter. Through their investigation, Howard County Police identified William Marshall III, who was 17 at the time of the shooting and also known as 'Junior,' as the alleged perpetrator. Believing that Marshall specifically targeted Little, with whom he was acquainted, authorities issued a warrant for his arrest on charges of first-degree murder.
A months-long manhunt for William Marshall III ensued, involving local and federal law enforcement agencies, including the U.S. Marshals. The search for Marshall, a student at Oakland Mills High School, extended beyond Maryland, with authorities receiving and following up on numerous tips. The extensive search culminated on May 28, 2025, when a public tip, generated by a social media post about the ongoing search, led law enforcement to an apartment in Brooklyn, New York. There, a team of Howard County detectives, U.S. Marshals, and NYPD officers apprehended Marshall.
Following his arrest, William Marshall III, now 18, was extradited back to Howard County, Maryland, to face the charges against him. He appeared for a bail hearing in June 2025 and was subsequently denied bail, remaining in custody at the Howard County Detention Center. The arrest brought a sense of relief to Angelo Little's family, who had been waiting for months for a breakthrough in the case. While the motive for the shooting is still under investigation, the arrest marks a significant step towards justice for Angelo Little.
