Manhunt underway for teen murder suspect, alleged gang member & undocumented immigrant

Baltimore County (WBFF) — In Baltimore County, a manhunt is now underway for a teenage murder suspect who, according to FOX45 law enforcement sources, has reported gang ties and is living in the county illegally.

On Wednesday, Baltimore County Police announced they’ve obtained an arrest warrant for 16-year-old Brayan Rodriguez. They also released his photo and requested the public’s help tracking him down.

Rodriguez is wanted in connection to a deadly shooting taking place at the Ramada hotel in Pikesville on Sunday. Hotel staff tell FOX45 a group of teenagers were inside the hotel room when gunfire rang out, striking another 16-year-old who later died at the hospital.

“It makes me concerned for my 11-year-old,” said Baltimore County resident Phillip Washington, “I worry about his safety, and all the kids safety that I know because they could have missed that person and hit somebody else.”

“It's just continuing on the lines of this juvenile crime that we're seeing that’s just becoming more violent,” said Randallstown NAACP President Ryan Coleman.

ALSO READ |County police obtain arrest warrant for teen in connection to murder of 16-year-old

On the surface, the case continues to spark concerns surrounding youth violence, but for investigators digging deeper, it also touches on broader immigration issues. According to multiple law enforcement sources, Rodriguez is believed to be a Honduran national who enter the U.S. illegally in 2018 -- making him the target of local police and federal immigration agents.

Sources also tell FOX45 he's been identified by local authorities as an MS13 gang member.

For now, it’s unclear if this is Rodriguez’s first alleged offense. For three days, FOX45 has been asking Baltimore County Police and the Department of Juvenile Services (DJS) if they’ve had previous encounters with Rodriguez and if he was under DJS monitoring at the time of the shooting.

Both agencies claim state law prevents them from commenting on individual cases involving juvenile offenders.

Again, police are asking the public's help locating Rodriguez. Although, they caution he should not be approached. If you see him, you're asked to call 911. Information can also be shared anonymously through Metro Crime Stoppers at 1-866-756-2587 (7LOCKUP).

Information provided by phone or online through Metro Crime Stoppers of Maryland may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $2,000.