Maryland alongside Delaware, New Jersey, and Washington, D.C. is one of only 10 states that had more homicides than suicides committed with a firearm in 2020, according to a Harvard University study. In Maryland, suicides accounted for just over a third of all firearm-related deaths in 2021, compared to 54% nationwide. Homicides accounted for 66% of firearm-related deaths in Maryland and 43% nationwide.[2]
Perpetrator
Darion Marcus Aguilar (January 4, 1995 – January 25, 2014) was identified as the shooter after the attack. He had lived in College Park, Maryland on Hollywood Road with his mother. Authorities found Aguilar had no contact with Maryland's mental health system nor had a criminal record.[3]
Aguilar went to James Hubert Blake High School in Silver Spring, Maryland and graduated from the school in 2013. Tydryn Scott, who was Aguilar's lab partner in school, described him as tall, skinny, and quiet. She said he was interested in skateboarding and hung out with other skaters. She added:
""It was really hurtful, like, wow — someone that I know, someone that I've been in the presence of more than short amounts of time. I've seen this guy in action before. Never upset, never sad, just quiet — just chill," [4]
A woman who claimed to be his mother later came out and said she was dumbfounded as to why her son would kill two people. She described her son as a gentle person and someone who had never had a gun before nor was interested in them.[5] Authorities said Aguilar was a manager at Dunkin' Donuts. In April 2013, Aguilar went to a physician for a medical condition. While he was being treated he told doctors he was hearing voices. According to police the doctor's notes describe them as being nonspecific, nonviolent and not directing him to doing anything. While the doctor made a referral to a mental health professional police say there is no evidence that he was seen by a mental health professional. Web searches recovered by forensics show that Aguilar was visiting suicide chat lines and websites that dealt with mental health issues.[6] In December 2013, Aguilar made a purchase of a pistol grip Mossberg 500 12-gauge shotgun, the same gun later used in the attack, at a United Gun Shop along with a box of buckshot and birdshot ammunition. The shotgun could be broken down into several pieces, making it easy to transport. Aguilar's journals and social media posts revealed more into his reasons for the attack. Police received a search and warrant at the shooter's house retrieving several documents, computers and other potential evidence. Among the items, a journal was recovered in which the chief initially stated, "Aguilar does express some general unhappiness with his life, but I really don't have any other information about that now,”.[7]
Police also later came out and said Aguilar wrote in general terms in his journal about killing people but did not express targeting specific people nor location. Police also said the journal "expresses a general hatred of others" and a "willingness to die". They said it showed he "knew he was having mental health issues." Aguilar also apologized to his family for what he was planning to do, they said. One excerpt from Aguilar's journal reads:
"I was going to fucking kill you all in a couple of hours I'm anxious, I hate you all so much you are pathetic pieces of shit who deserve to die. Worthless you are all fucking worthless. Everything seems fake. I think that I may already be dead."[8]
Just minutes before the attack, Aguilar allegedly posted to Tumblr: "I had to do this. Today is the day. On previous days I tried this I woke up with anxiety, regret and hope for a better future this day I didn't, I woke up felt no emotions no empathy no sympathy." Aguilar also was allegedly fascinated by the Columbine High School massacre and had timed his attack for the minute the Columbine shooting began.[9]
Shooting
Darion Marcus Aguilar minutes prior to the attack
On January 25, 2014, Darion Marcus Aguilar was dropped off by the carousel at The Mall in Columbia around 10:15AM. Aguilar had very limited movement in the mall between the time he arrived and the shooting. Aguilar was wearing a backpack which contained a disassembled pistol grip Mossberg 500 12-gauge shotgun, two homemade explosives, and multiple rounds of ammunition. He was also dressed similar to one of the Columbine shooters.[10]Aguilar would then enter into the dressing room of the Zumiez store located on the second floor. Aguilar would then assemble his shotgun and make a final Tumblr post before exiting the room. Aguilar stepped out of the dressing room and shot Brianna Benelo once, and then shot Tyler Johnson multiple times near the front of the store. Aguilar exited the store and fired two shots across the mall on the upper railing. One struck a railing, while the other struck a woman in the heel. Aguilar turned towards the food court and fired one shot striking a wall right outside the Great American Cookie store, very narrowly missing more victims. Aguilar turned back to the Zumiez store and fired through the glass hitting at a mannequin, before entering the store and fatally shooting himself in the mouth. Police stated it was hard to identify Aguilar as his backpack contained lots of ammunition and explosives leading to potential fear it was booby-trapped. The mall was secured around 12:30PM. About two-and-a-half hours after the attack, Aguilar's mother would report him missing.[11]
Victims
The victims were identified as 21-year-old Brianna Benelo, a single mother who lived in College Park, and 25-year-old Tyler Johnson of Mount Airy, Maryland. Neither of the victims were connected to the shooter Darion Marcus Aguilar.[12]
Aftermath
Following the fatal attack, hundreds gathered for a vigil honoring the victims lost in the shooting. The vigil was held on January 31, 2014, shortly after 5 P.M. and lasted for about half an hour at the outdoor memorial on The Plaza, near Starbucks. Candles were available to all attendees. Two funds were created for the two victims. The Tyler Johnson Memorial Fund was established to benefit the Community Foundation of Howard County. The Brianna Benlolo Memorial Fund was established to benefit her son's health, education and support. [13]
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