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Teenager sentenced to 25 years in prison in 2023 for attempted murder on Maryland school bus – NBC4 Washington

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A teenager who pleaded guilty to murdering a 14-year-old on a Prince George's County school bus last year was sentenced to decades in prison Friday. Prosecutors said he pulled the trigger three times, but each time the gun malfunctioned.

Kaeden Holland was sentenced to 60 years in prison for attempted murder, with all but 25 years suspended. He was also convicted of weapons possession.

Holland, also known as “Baby K,” was charged as an adult for the attack in 2023, but was 15 at the time of the attack.

According to prosecutors, Holland and the victim were both on a school bus in Oxon Hill, Maryland on May 1, 2023.

As News4 reported, the bus stopped at the corner of Iverson Street and Sutler Drive when three young people got on and began attacking the 14-year-old, police said. The attack was recorded on the bus's surveillance camera.

Holland held a gun to the victim's head and pulled the trigger three times, but each time the gun jammed and failed to fire a shot.

“The weapon made an audible click and malfunctioned,” prosecutors said.

When the gun failed to fire the first time, Holland cocked the gun to correct the shot and struck the victim with the pistol, “with the barrel of the gun leaving a dent in his right temple.”

Two other young people beat and kicked the boy.

Then Holland fired a second time.

The weapon malfunctioned again.

He cocked the gun again and then struck the boy with the weapon, with his hands and feet.

The boy tried to take the gun away from him, but Holland pointed it at him and fired a third time. Again he missed.

Holland pointed the gun at the school bus driver and bus attendant and then ran away with the other two teens, prosecutors said. Police found three live 9mm cartridges on the floor of the bus, prosecutors said.

The 14-year-old victim was able to escape with only minor injuries, police said.

Holland pleaded guilty to attempted first-degree murder and use of a firearm in the commission of a crime earlier this year and was sentenced to 25 years in prison.

In March, the victim's mother told News4 she was grateful that her son's attacker would serve a prison sentence and that she was getting help for her son.

Prince George's County District Attorney Aisha Braveboy said in March she was glad Holland had taken responsibility for his actions.

“It was important for Mr. Holland and other young people to know that their actions have consequences,” Braveboy said at the time.

Following the verdict on Friday, Braveboy released a statement.

“It is our right in this community to be safe, to work and to live freely without fear of being harmed,” the statement said. “The school bus driver, his helper and the juvenile victim will be forever traumatized by what they experienced on that school bus. This 25-year sentence against Mr. Holland ensures that he is held accountable for his horrific actions.”

In that press release, Braveboy also stated that Holland would be placed in an adult facility.

The other two teenagers involved in the attack were also charged as adults.