TOWSON, Md. — Baltimore County police have recovered a loaded AK-47, a stolen vehicle, and other illegal items during a traffic stop connected to the investigation of last week’s mass shooting, authorities announced Monday.
On December 19, officers from the Eastern Patrol Division Community Action Team conducted a traffic stop near Meteor Court and Cloister Road as part of a high-visibility enforcement operation. In addition to the AK-47, officers seized an AK-47 magazine containing 10 rounds of 7.62 ammunition, a “Glock switch” capable of converting a semi-automatic handgun into a fully automatic weapon, and a stolen vehicle.
Jaquan McCain, 20, was arrested at the scene and is being held without bail at the Baltimore County Detention Center on multiple weapons charges, including possession of an assault weapon and being a minor in possession of a firearm.
This case will be prosecuted under a new Maryland law, enacted in October 2024, that criminalizes the possession, transfer, or sale of rapid-fire activators, such as the Glock switch recovered during the stop. Previously, such cases could only be prosecuted federally. Baltimore County Police Chief Robert O. McCullough and State’s Attorney Scott Shellenberger played key roles in advocating for the legislation.
The investigation into the mass shooting, which occurred on December 17, is ongoing. Police have not yet disclosed any connection between McCain and the shooting.
