A Middlesex County jury found a Lancaster teenager guilty last month in connection with the March fatal shooting of 18-year-old Elijah Baker of Gloucester.

Tariq Joel Beane, 17, of Lancaster was found guilty of second-degree murder and using a firearm in the commission of a felony by a Middlesex Circuit Court jury on Oct. 31. His sentencing was set for Feb. 5, 2020.

In March, Middlesex Sheriff’s Major M.E. Sampson said his office received a 911 call just before midnight on March 23 regarding a party in the 5000 block of General Puller Highway with underage persons and the smell of marijuana.

The caller also stated there were subjects from Lancaster County at the party who were trying to start a fight. Sampson said moments later his office received another 911 call from the same address stating someone had been shot. 

Sampson said responding deputies found Baker with a gunshot wound to his torso. He was transported to Riverside Walter Reed Hospital where he died the next day. 

According to Sampson, witnesses told officers that uninvited persons from the Merry Point area of Lancaster showed up at the party and one of them had a verbal altercation with Baker. Other members of the group joined in the quarrel and physically threatened Baker. 

When the group tried to attack Baker, Sampson said Baker escaped the house and ran to his truck in the backyard with the others in pursuit, including at least one who started shooting at Baker’s vehicle. 

Arrested in March was an 18-year-old Lancaster resident who was charged with first-degree murder in connection with Baker’s death. That charge was nolle prossed in May, according to online court records.

Three unnamed juveniles were also charged in connection with Baker’s death, but Middlesex Commonwealth’s Attorney Michael Hurd said no probable cause was found to pursue the charges.

Beane, who was 16 at the time of the shooting, was sought in the shooting and was initially at large but turned himself in to federal marshals a few days later. He was indicted on first-degree murder in May but the charge was amended to second degree. He was also charged with using a firearm in the commission of a felony. 

Beane pleaded not guilty to both charges but a jury found him guilty of both counts.

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