Catonsville, Maryland — A tragic incident has unfolded in Catonsville, where a child and two adults were found dead, leading investigators to suspect a murder-suicide. Baltimore County police received a welfare check call around 3:30 p.m. Thursday, prompting them to respond to a residence on Wilton Farm Drive.
Upon arrival, officers discovered 42-year-old Chantel Sharieff and her six-year-old daughter, Kimana Sharieff, both with gunshot wounds. They were pronounced dead at the scene. Also found in the home was 43-year-old Mustafa Sharieff, who had inflicted wounds on himself; he was also declared dead by authorities.
As of Saturday, police have not released information about what may have motivated the incident or confirmed the identities of the deceased. Their investigation continues as they seek answers surrounding the tragic events that transpired.
Local residents expressed shock and disbelief at the situation. John Sherikjian, a neighbor who recently moved into the area, described his alarm upon seeing police presence nearby when he returned home around 10 p.m. “It was completely surrounded,” he said. “I had to get an escort from my car. It was quite overwhelming.”
Another neighbor, Tony Vithayathil, shared his experiences of hearing disputes from the Sharieff household. He noted the couple had a child approximately four years old and mentioned that while he often heard arguments, he never heard gunfire. “I heard that she wasn’t coming to work, and when people reached out with no response, they decided to check,” Vithayathil said.
The Baltimore County Police Department is encouraging anyone who may have additional information regarding the case to come forward. As the community grapples with this sorrowful event, residents are left to process the loss and the impacts it leaves behind.