Criminal Justice
Authorities Say Lawyer & Family Slain By Son, 15
Posted Feb 4, 2008, 04:50 pm CST
By Martha Neil
A 15-year-old Maryland teen allegedly shot his father, mother and two younger brothers to death as they slept, then spent more than 12 hours with his friends before calling 911.
Among those found dead in the suburban Baltimore home over the weekend is attorney John Browning, 45, who was a partner of Royston, Mueller, McLean & Reid in Towson, Md., reports the Associated Press. Browning's son, Nicholas, 15, has allegedly admitted murdering his father, his mother, Tamara, 44, and two brothers, Gregory, 13, and Benjamin, 11, and has been charged as an adult with four counts of first-degree murder.
The murder weapon was his father's handgun, according to police.
Browning's partners said in a written statement that he was an accomplished real estate and business lawyer, and "was also a person invested in his family and community. He led his local scout troop. He was a leader at his church. In short, John Browning was a great man."