Sean Crizer identified as the shooter, murderer of Charlotte Zaremba
Maryland’s Howard County police said the teen suspect in the New Year’s Day killing of an Ellicott City teen, Charlotte Zaremba, shooting her mother and then attempting suicide.
Sean Crizer, age, 15, of Ellicott City, has been confirmed by police as the attacker and shooter. Crizer was in the family’s home and Charlotte’s mother entered the girl’s bedroom after hearing a “scuffle” around 2 a.m.
“When she entered the room, she saw Charlotte, 16, struggling with a masked suspect and that’s when the shots were fired,” Howard County police spokeswoman Sherry Llewellyn said.
Charlotte Zaremba
Crizer turned and fired a shot at the teen’s mother, Suzanne Zaremba and another at her daughter before turning the gun on himself, police said. The mask and the gun were recovered at the scene.
The teen shooter was initially in critical condition after the incident, but he died on yesterday. Charlotte Zaremba was pronounced dead at Howard County General Hospital. Suzanne Zaremba, 52, was taken to Shock Trauma, where she was treated and released.
“We absolutely do not know the suspect’s motive in this case. We can’t ask him, so we don’t know why he was at that particular home at the time,” Llewellyn said.
“At this stage in the investigation, detectives have found no link between the suspect and victim,” Llewellyn said, confirming that they did attend the same school and lived in the same neighborhood.
Detectives are seeking other answers: wanting to know why Crizer was wearing a mask when he went into the Zaremba home.
Detectives believe Crizer is responsible for burglarizing at least two homes in the same neighborhood, one on Alice Avenue and the other on Marybeth Way, in the weeks before the shooting.
The gun Crizer used had been reported stolen from a home on Marybeth Way, police said.
“The lock had been removed and ammunition was also taken, and it was stored separately from the weapon,” Llewellyn said, detailing the report of the stolen gun, which sounds like it was secured properly.
Police said their investigation continues. They are talking to family and friends and will go through computers and cellphones.
Detectives are continuing to investigate. Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 410-313-STOP or [email protected].
