UPPER MARLBORO, MD – A teen has been sentenced to 25 years behind bars for an attempted murder that took place on a school bus in Prince George’s County. In a disturbing act of violence that has left a community shaken, the teen aimed a firearm at a fellow student and attempted to discharge it multiple times.
17-year-old Kaeden Holland, known by his nickname “Baby K,” was 15 at the time of the crime in May 2021, when he and two associates boarded the bus and commenced what’s been described as a “brutal attack” on the targeted middle school student. Although Holland pulled the trigger on his gun aimed at the victim’s head and chest, the weapon failed to fire, an occurrence that potentially spared the student’s life.
“This community deserves to engage in daily life free from the shadow of violence,” stated Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Aisha Braveboy. “The profound psychological impact this incident has had on the innocent bystander – a bus driver, their assistant, and the young victim – cannot be understated.”
The chilling account of the crime came into disturbing clarity during Holland’s sentencing as prosecutors showcased a one-minute video clip that captured the harrowing ordeal. While silent, the footage bore witness to the terrifying moments on the bus, with the driver reportedly muttering prayers as Holland brandished the gun.
In defense of Holland, attorney Michael Lawlor highlighted the harsh realities that shaped his client’s upbringing, including exposure to violence and the challenges of living in a deprived, single-parent household. “Many youth fall victim to their environment, and, unfortunately, their lapses in judgment can lead to severe consequences,” Lawlor argued, referencing the report by the Washington Post.
The trauma inflicted by the incident has resonated with the bus driver, who confessed to grappling with post-traumatic stress in the aftermath. The adolescent at the center of Holland’s attack has since relocated and developed a phobia of school buses, experiencing panic attacks even at the thought of boarding one, as reported during hearings.
Despite the defense’s arguments, Braveboy maintained that the severity of Holland’s sentencing was warranted, emphasizing the premeditated nature of the crime and the clear intent to commit murder. Earlier this year, Holland entered a guilty plea to a charge of first-degree attempted murder.
This case underscores the challenges and ongoing efforts to combat youth violence and provide safe environments for all community members, especially children in educational settings.
