by Howard County Police
Howard County police have made an arrest in the May 5 homicide of Amanda Nicole Harris and assault of William James Webb in Columbia.
Wilson Orellana-Lemus, 22, of Tamebird Court in Columbia, is charged with first-degree murder, attempted first- degree murder, first-degree assault, first-degree burglary, home invasion and theft.
Police responded to the apartment after family members asked for a check on the residents’ welfare last Sunday and found a woman deceased and a man significantly injured. Harris, 36, was pronounced dead at the scene. Webb, 42 was transported to Shock Trauma and remains in critical condition. Both victims’ injuries were a result of blunt force trauma.
Through investigation, detectives developed Orellana-Lemus as a suspect. Police believe he entered the apartment through an unsecured window and assaulted both residents with a baseball bat before stealing Harris’ jewelry and a cell phone. It does not appear he knew either of the victims.
Orellana-Lemus was taken into custody and is being held without bond at the Howard County Detention Center. This investigation is going.