Woman charged in fight prior to shooting

December 19, 2002|by MARLO BARNHART

HAGERSTOWN - As the investigation into Saturday's fatal shooting in Hagerstown entered its fifth day, arrest warrants were issued Wednesday for two women who police allege were involved in a fight that immediately preceded the killing of a New Jersey man on Jonathan Street.

One of the women, Asia Shanni Burns, was arrested at 4 p.m. on warrants charging her with one count each of second-degree assault and disorderly conduct, said Lt. Rick Johnson of Hagerstown City Police.

Bond was set at $15,000 Wednesday night for Burns, 23, of no fixed address.

The second woman, Takima Nicole White, 22, of 466 N. Jonathan St., faces the same charges. White was still at large late Wednesday, police said.

White and Burns were charged in a fight that occurred just before Carl Anthony Wallace of Asbury Park, N.J., was shot.

Detectives Steve Hoover and Shawn Schultz said they learned that Burns, accompanied by two unidentified females, arrived in the 400 block of Jonathan Street after 3 a.m. Saturday, allegedly to fight White.

When White saw Burns with a stick in her hand, White went into her residence to obtain an iron, police said. White returned and she and Burns fought, police said.

The fight drew the attention of approximately 10 to 12 people who stood and watched. Police said Wallace, the shooting victim, was one of the spectators.

Police alleged that as the fight was taking place, Rakim Ali Ward, a friend of White, produced a handgun and fired it several times in the air.

Police allege he then shot Wallace, who was standing in the crowd watching the fight between White and Burns.

Police ask that anyone with information concerning the whereabouts of Ward, who is charged with murder, and White call 301-790-3700 or Crime Solvers of Washington County at 301-733-4141.

Detectives also ask that anyone who witnessed the fight and shooting of Wallace call them.

Callers with information can remain anonymous, police said.

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