Texas mom in Maryland to drop son off at Naval Academy killed by stray bullet

Michelle Cummings, an innocent Texas mother was fatally shot while at her hotel in Annapolis, Maryland during what was supposed to be a time to celebrate her son’s accomplishments.

According to police, 57-year-old Michelle Cummings was hit by a stray bullet.

Cummings was in town to drop off her son who was recently awarded a scholarship to the Naval Academy.

Stray bullet claimed Cummings life

At a news conference, Annapolis Police Chief Edward Jackson said Cummings was sitting on the patio of the Graduate Annapolis hotel in the unit block of West Street about 12:20 a.m.

Shots were fired a short distance away and she was struck by a stray bullet, Jackson said.

She died at the scene, in what the chief called a “very tragic incident.”

Cummings and her husband had just brought their son to Annapolis to settle into the Naval Academy, Jackson said.

“What turned out to be a celebratory occasion … turned into a tragic event,” Jackson said.

Cummings’ son was a Westfield High School football player who committed to play at the prestigious school.

A GoFundMe has been created to help the Cummings family.

Update : Arrest Made

Angelo Harrod, 29, of Annapolis, has been charged for Michelle Cummings killing.

Crime camera video in the area provided detectives with a big break in the case.

It enabled investigators to identify Angelo Harrod, also known as Jellow, as a suspect.

During his bail review, prosecutors told the judge the CCTV cameras captured Harrod preparing for an ambush.

According to police charging documents, Harrod fired a gun multiple times at two people in a parked car on Pleasant Street. Police said he missed his target.

But a stray bullet struck Cummings in the head as she stood on a hotel patio about a block away.

According to authorities, Harrod was arrested on June 29 on an outstanding warrant.

According to police charging documents, Harrod assaulted an officer who tried to take him into custody and fled.

Annapolis Police Chief Ed Jackson said Harrod was wanted on a warrant after cutting off an ankle device while on home detention on unrelated charges.

Police said Harrod further resisted arrest when other officers arrived and chased him down.

Harrod was charged with first- and second-degree murder, two counts of second-degree assault, involuntary manslaughter, manslaughter, use of a firearm in a violent crime, gun charges, disorderly conduct and reckless endangerment, Jackson said.

Harrod was convicted and was sentenced to life in prison February 2023.