Person Of Interest In Toddler's Murder Now Out Of Police Custody

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- A major development in the case of a three-year-old killed by a stray bullet in a drive-by shooting this summer.

Derek Valcourt explains a man being held as a person of interest in the case is now walking free.

He's been in custody for two months on an unrelated probation matter and, without any charges for the girl's murder, he's now been released.

At just three years old, McKenzie Elliott's life was cut short by a stray bullet in an August 1 drive-by shooting as she played on her neighbor's porch. Her parents were left heartbroken.

"I can't get over this. It's not going nowhere. This is going to stick with me forever," said her mother, Nina Epps. "I can't deal with this."

An outraged community rallied around the family and Baltimore's police commissioner vowed justice.

"The person responsible---we will bring them to justice before the end of this week," said Police Commissioner Anthony Batts.

Police did have a person of interest in the case. He turned himself in on a probation violation. Since then, he's been locked up but the Baltimore State's Attorney's office says he was released from jail Wednesday after his probation matter was settled in court.

We talked to McKenzie Elliott's mother. She said she had no idea that the person of interest in her daughter's shooting had been released from custody but said she had no comment.

For its part, the city state's attorney's office issued a statement saying because McKenzie Elliot's death is an ongoing investigation, the office has no comment.

"For something like that to happen, that's not right," a neighbor said.

Neighbors near the crime scene are disappointed to hear that---for now---the murder remains unsolved.

"Our legal system just isn't good here in Maryland," said neighbor Jeaneen Wedington. "Because I live on this block, I'm hoping...for justice for McKenzie."

In a written statement, police would only say the course of their investigation has shifted and they have substantial leads that they are continuing to follow up on.

Anyone with information on the shooting is urged to call investigators at 410-396-2100.

Other Local News: