Howard County police have charged three Baltimore men in the August 2025 fatal shooting of Leon Grant in Columbia.
Montreal Proctor, 26; Talondo Short, 36; and Damon Simpson Jr., 34, are charged with first- and second-degree murder, assault, and firearm violations. Proctor and Short are being held at the Howard County Detention Center without bond. Simpson is incarcerated for an unrelated case in another jurisdiction.
At approximately 10:35 p.m. on Aug. 19, police responded to a parking lot off of Dove Sail Lane and Merriweather Drive for a report of a shooting and located Grant, 39, of Salisbury, deceased in a vehicle.
Through an extensive investigation, detectives identified the three suspects in connection with the homicide. Based on witness statements, video surveillance at the scene, and evidence collected throughout the investigation, detectives determined that Grant met Proctor at the Columbia location. As Grant was entering Proctor’s vehicle, Short and Simpson approached in another vehicle. During the encounter, Grant was shot. Proctor remained at the scene and spoke with responding officers, while Simpson and Short fled the area. Investigators have confirmed that Proctor and Grant were known to one another, and the incident appears to have been targeted. The motive remains under investigation.
Anyone with additional information should contact police at 410-313-STOP or HCPDCrimeTips@howardcountymd.gov.