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Scout Held in Family Massacre

Teen shot parents and brothers: cops

By Peter Fearon, Newser Staff

Posted Feb 4, 2008 3:07 AM CST

(Newser) – A 15-year-old Baltimore area Boy Scout has been charged with murdering all four members of his family. High school sophmore Nicholas Browning shot his father, a prominent corporate lawyer, his mother, and brothers, ages 11 and 13, reports the Baltimore Sun. Police say he used his father's handgun during the rampage, triggered by an argument with his dad. The teen is being held without bail.

After the murders, police say the teenager spent Friday night at a friend's house. He claimed to have stumbled in on the aftermath of the massacre when he returned home Saturday. He confessed to the murders several hours later, according to officials. A neighbor described Nicholas' father as "a wonderful person, a scoutmaster." Another neighbor said there was no indication of trouble in the family. "This is a shock," she said. "I don't think there have been any problems there."

The home in Cockeysville, Md.where police say a 15-year-old Boy Scout massacred his family (AP Photo/Steve Ruark) (Associated Press)

Classmates of Gregory Browning, 13, mourn Sunday, Feb. 3, 2008 outside a Cockeysville, Md. home where Browning, his parents John and Tamara, and brother Benjamin, 11, were found dead Saturday. Baltimore... (Associated Press)

Classmates of Gregory Browning, 13, mourn Sunday outside a Cockeysville, Md. home where Browning, his parents John and Tamara, and brother Benjamin, 11, were found dead Saturday. Baltimore County police... (Associated Press)

A crucifix hangs Sunday, Feb. 3, 2008, from the mailbox of a Cockeysville, Md., home where four people were found dead Saturday. Police planned to release details at a midday news conference Sunday,... (Associated Press)

Friends of the Browning family mourn Sunday, Feb. 3, 2008, outside a Cockeysville, Md., home where John and Tamara Browning, and their sons Gregory, 13, and Benjamin, 11, were found dead Saturday. Baltimore... (Associated Press)

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Teen shot parents and brothers: cops

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