Teens in Rodgers Forge Shooting Case Expected to Plead Guilty Monday as Trial Was Set to Begin

The two teens charged in a 2024 Rodgers Forge shooting and attempted armed robbery are expected to plead guilty Monday, when their case was scheduled to go to trial.

Kai Wilson and Kamar Thompson, both now 17 years old, are charged as adults with attempted first-degree murder, attempted armed robbery and other related offenses. The robbery attempt happened Sept. 13, 2024, in the alley of the 400 block of Dunkirk Road. Mark McKenzie, a well-known local youth sports coach, was shot once and critically injured.

Jury selection was set to begin Monday morning for Wilson and Thompson, who were to be tried together. But sources familiar with the case confirmed that plea agreements have been negotiated.

Wilson, of the 100 block of North Kenwood Ave., Baltimore, is accused of being the gunman. He was 15 at the time of the offense.  Thompson, who was 16, is accused of driving the getaway vehicle.

Thompson’s address in online court records is listed as both Baltimore City DSS-Foster Care Unit and the 3600 block of Hayward Avenue, Baltimore. 

A separate case against Thompson is also scheduled to be resolved Monday. In that case, Thompson is charged with armed robbery, assault, extortion and firearms offenses stemming from an incident two days before the Rodgers Forge shooting, according to court records. Those charges stem from an incident on an MTA bus Sept. 11, 2024, where police say a bus passenger was forced to send money via Cash App to Wilson’s mother.

Police say Wilson is the person who tried to rob and shot McKenzie about 11:30 a.m. as McKenzie was cleaning out his car in the alley behind his home. Investigators believe Thompson conspired with Wilson, drove the getaway car, and helped clean a small white SUV with bleach after the shooting.

Home security video showed McKenzie standing at the back of his car as a masked person approached from behind, pointing a gun. The gunman and McKenzie struggled and one shot was fired. McKenzie fell to the pavement, and the masked person fled.

McKenzie was shot in the abdomen and seriously injured. He was hospitalized on life support for 12 days and in intensive care for 38 days.

Police arrested Wilson and Thompson weeks after the shooting.

Sentencing is not likely to take place Monday.