ANNAPOLIS, Md. — A 14-year-old boy and a 10-year-old girl were shot in Annapolis on Saturday evening and have been hospitalized, according to the Annapolis Police Department (APD).
Police received an initial call for a home invasion around 7:10 p.m. at the 100 block of Obery Court just before receiving several calls about two kids being shot.
When officers arrived at the location on Feb. 12, they found a boy and a girl suffering from gunshot wounds nearby on Monument Street, police said.
A man identified as 41-year-old John Estep of Annapolis turned himself in following the shooting. He was arrested and charged with seven criminal charges related to the crime, including two counts of first-degree assault, police said.
A Feb. 14 update from Annapolis police confirmed that the initial calls were due to a disorderly complaint from Estep. He said a group of kids was banging on his door, according to police, and that the young people were gone prior to officers' arrival. At 7:12 p.m., an anonymous neighbor also reported a group of juveniles kicking a neighbor’s door. Shortly after, a call then came into police for shots fired in the Obery Court area.
According to police, Estep said that an individual kicked his door, forcing it open, and then entered the home. Estep allegedly responded by firing shots at the male intruder. Estep also stated he fired shots at a group of subjects at the side window. He then went outside his house, fired one shot into the ground and left the area.
Police said that an investigation revealed that there was damage consistent with breaking and entering on the door of Estep’s home, with 25 spent shell casings ultimately found inside the residence.
When police arrived on the scene and found the 10-year-old and 14-year-old shot, both were soon taken to the hospital. Police said the 14-year-old is currently in stable condition and the 10-year-old is in serious but stable condition.
Police said the investigation is ongoing. Investigators believe this is "an isolated incident," saying "there appears to be no further danger to the public."
Estep has since been released on personal recognizance, which means a release, without the requirement of posting bail, based on a written promise by the defendant to appear in court when required to do so.
Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call detectives at 410-260-3439. People can also provide anonymous tips to the Metro Crime Stoppers at 1-866-7LOCKUP. Anyone who offers information that leads to an arrest and indictment could receive a cash reward of up to $2,000.