Maryland Man Claims Self-Defense in Stabbing of 14-Year-Old During Gang-Related Assault
A 24-year-old Maryland man fatally stabbed 14-year-old Jordan Collins in self-defense as he was attacked by a gang-armed group, the state’s attorney says. The case has reignited fears about rising gang violence among young people in Cecil County.
The confrontation unfolded on July 18 in the Hollingsworth Manor neighborhood. According to the prosecutor, the violence grew from a dispute over a drug debt the man, named Ty, owed to gang members. Nine young men linked to the group encircled Ty, demanding repayment.
Elkton Police arrived at Union Hospital shortly after Collins was dumped in the bed of a pickup truck. The four men who brought him in sped from the scene and refused to answer questions. The first witnesses told officers they had not seen the knife strike, but later indicated the nearby playground was the likely site of the fight.
When officers walked the neighborhood, they found blood spattered on the road along with a jagged piece of a wooden two-by-four. The scene, they concluded, pointed to a serious fight. Police narrowed in on Ty, the person who had stabbed Collins, and learned he is physically disabled with an amputated left arm, which made the investigation more complicated.
**Gang Beating Uncovered in Camera Footage**
Detectives then turned to neighborhood cameras. They saw nine people chasing Ty, who fell and was surrounded. The recording showed Collins starting the fight by shoving Ty. Moments later, the gang swung a shovel and the two-by-four, bringing Ty to the ground. Collins lifted the two-by-four and rushed Ty after a teammate swung the shovel again, landing several hits.
Separately, witnesses linked Ty to a Wild Wawa on Pulaski Highway. There, three women blocked Ty at the door, yelling at him not to leave. When he finally pushed past, a dark SUV pulled up carrying two more men. They jumped out and joined the women in the attack, leaving Ty battered once more.
“Surveillance video makes it clear: Ty never lunged at or hit any of the young women or the young man involved. The three women clearly started the fight,” explained Elkton Police Detective Christian Mlodzianowski. Detectives later confirmed the identities of the attackers. One took direct part in the beating while the others stood by and did not try to stop it.
Collins was the only minor in the group. Police Chief Carolyn Rogers said, “Jordan’s death directly flowed from the careless actions and the open lawlessness of several adults from the moments before that night.”
Stabbing Ruled Self-Defense
Maryland law allows self-defense in clear-cut cases. Ty’s effort to walk away and calm the fight, plus the fact that he never sparked the trouble, led Cecil County State’s Attorney James Dellmyer to conclude the stabbing fell within the law’s protections.
“Ty was faced with a life-threatening attack and reasonably defended himself with a pocket knife. One blow led to Jordan Collins’ death,” let the State’s Attorney Dellmyer said in the press conference. “The knife strike came as Ty moved to escape the conflict. For this reason, our office will not prosecute Ty; his actions were clear self-defense.”
Though Ty felt deep regret and chose not to pursue charges against his attackers, police say revenge was planned. Shortly afterward, officers discovered three suspects—Xavier Santana, Bobbie Perkins, and Timothy Dickerson—who allegedly tried to build a Molotov cocktail to target Ty. They were charged with manufacturing a destructive device.
### Rising Gang Violence in Cecil County
The death forces the community to confront the spread of gang violence in Cecil County and the danger it brings to teens and adults alike. Law enforcement and community leaders are urging parents to watch for warning signs, to talk to young people about the risks, and to support police efforts to break the cycle of retaliation.
This case highlights something important about self-defense laws in Maryland. People here should know when and how they can legally protect themselves. Understanding these rights helps residents make informed decisions if they ever face danger.
### Conclusion
The loss of 14-year-old Jordan Collins has deeply affected everyone in Hollingsworth Manor. After looking at the evidence, the Cecil County State’s Attorney confirmed the stabbing was self-defense, but the probe into possible gang links and retaliation continues. Local leaders and police are asking everyone to remain alert and to cooperate in keeping gang violence away from Cecil County neighborhoods.
