LINKWOOD, Md. - The father of a five-year-old girl tragically killed in a Dorchester County shooting earlier this month has now been charged in connection to an earlier incident in Hurlock that police say was linked, according to court documents acquired by WBOC.
WBOC has also learned a second suspect has been charged with the girl’s murder.
Two Dorchester County shootings
On Aug. 11, at about 2:15 a.m., Maryland State Police were called to a home on Route 50 in Linkwood on reports of shots fired. There, they found two shooting victims: a 30-year-old man and his five-year-old daughter. The man, Ryan Adams, was taken to Shock Trauma in Baltimore for treatment of life-threatening injuries.
The five-year-old girl, Na’Ryah Adams, was killed in the shooting. Her family later spoke with WBOC expressing their hope for justice and an end to gun violence. Investigators say multiple spent casings were found outside the home.
Courtesy of Tamia Goslee
Hours before the shooting in Linkwood, Hurlock police were called to Goldrush Lane in Hurlock just before 10 p.m. on Aug. 10 after a 14-year-old boy had reportedly been shot in the back. The teen was taken to Johns Hopkins Children’s Hospital in serious condition.
Another teenager later admitted to that shooting and has been charged, according to court records.
Police would later conclude the Linkwood shooting was in retaliation for the Hurlock shooting. Anthony Harris, 26, of Hurlock has been charged with first-degree murder and other counts in connection to Na’Ryah Adams’ death. Investigators have also implicated a former Dorchester County State’s Attorney’s Office employee as an accessory after the fact to the murder, saying she helped Harris evade justice after the fatal shooting.
On Aug. 27, an arrest warrant was issued for Wendell Wongus, 23, of Hurlock. Wongus, along with Harris, is now charged with the first-degree murder of Na’Ryah Adams, the attempted murder of Ryan Adams, and other counts, according to charging documents. A narrative of Wongus’ alleged role in the incident has not yet been publicly filed.
Ryan Adams
Just days after Adams was flown to Shock Trauma following the Linkwood shooting, police issued a warrant for his arrest on Aug. 15 on attempted first-degree murder and other charges in connection to the shooting on Goldrush Lane in Hurlock.
According to court documents acquired by WBOC, the 14-year-old victim of the Hurlock shooting told investigators there had been two gunmen.
Police say the minor who admitted to the shooting was at a home on Goldrush Lane the night of Aug. 10 and had a “longstanding feud” with a group of other teens who lived in the area. Charging documents allege the minor felt threatened after learning the group was carrying a firearm and called Adams to come pick him up.
Witnesses told police that Adams then arrived at Goldrush Lane in a black SUV and wearing a red sweatshirt. According to witness accounts, both the minor and Adams then began shooting at the group of teens, allegedly striking a 14-year-old in the back. Adams and the other alleged shooter then fled in the black SUV, according to police.
Hours later, MSP was alerted to the second shooting in Linkwood that claimed the life of Na’Ryah Adams and left Ryan Adams seriously wounded.
On Aug. 11, police say they conducted a search of the Linkwood home and located a black Ford Explorer on the property. According to court documents, a family member also confirmed to police that Adams had picked up the teenage suspect in the Hurlock shooting from Goldrush Lane that evening.
Based on eyewitness accounts and ballistic evidence, investigators say they have probable cause to believe Adams participated in the shooting that left a 14-year-old victim wounded in Hurlock.
Adams was arrested on Aug. 28 and now faces the following charges:
-Attempted first-degree murder
-Attempted second-degree murder
-Assault first-degree
-Assault second-degree
-Reckless endangerment
-Firearm use in a felony/violent crime
Adams was ordered held without bond, and a bail/bond review scheduled for Monday, Aug. 31, has been postponed until Sept. 4, according to court records.
