Suspect in Princess Anne murder arrested in Baltimore

Maryland State Police say they arrested a man Tuesday morning in connection to the December murder of a Somerset County woman.

Rodney Columbus Christopher, 35, of Princess Anne, was arrested at around 6 AM at a relative's apartment in Baltimore, police said. He was taken into custody without incident by the Maryland State Apprehension Team and the U.S. Marshal's Service.

Christopher, who reportedly also goes by the name "Mookie," is charged with first degree murder and several other charges for his role in the murder of 26-year-old Tawanda L. Blake of Pocomoke City.

In the early morning hours of December 17th, police say troopers responded to a shooting at the Princess Anne American Legion and found Blake suffering from a gunshot wound in the parking lot. She was pronounced dead shortly after 2 AM at Peninsula Regional Medical Center. Investigators say several shots were fired in that incident, though Blake was the only person struck.

26-year-old Jesse Copes of Princess Anne was arrested in connection to the event shortly after it happened. He was charged with multiple charges including first and second degree murder and manslaughter. His charges were later suspended and he was released.

Maryland State Police say they are continuing their investigation into the events that night that led to Blake's death. Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call the MSP Princess Anne Barrack at 443-260-3700.