(Updated) Second Killing In As Many Days in Columbia

Howard County police are investigating the fatal stabbing of a man in Columbia Tuesday evening as a homicide.

This is the second homicide in as many days in Columbia.

On Monday night, Nichole Bernadette McNair, 42, of Baltimore with multiple gunshot wounds. She was pronounced dead overnight at Howard County Hospital.

On Tuesday, police found Philip Edward Wise, 46, of no fixed address, in the parking lot of the apartment complex in the 5500 block of Harper’s Farm Road after receiving a 911 call at around 4:30 p.m.

The caller reported that a man was bleeding in the parking lot. The caller said he was inside an apartment when he heard his car alarm activated. 

When he went outside to check the car, he saw the man lying near it, according to a police press release.

Investigators said they believe the victim may have collapsed against the car, setting off the alarm, before falling to the ground.

Wise was transported to where he was pronounced dead.

Detectives believe there may have been witnesses in the area at the time of the stabbing.  They are offering a reward of up to $5,000 and asking anyone with information to call police at 410-313-STOP.  Callers may remain anonymous.

Police spokeswoman Sherry Llewellyn said police did not believe the two homicides were related. Tuesday’s death is the fourth homicide of the year in Howard County.

In July, 17-year-old Christian Lendell Hall was stabbed multiple times while in his home on the 8700 block of Airybrink Lane in Long Reach at about 10 p.m.

Long Reach High School junior Xavier Trevon Bates, 18, of 9089 Lambskin Lane in Columbia, is charged with first- and second-degree murder and first- and second-degree assault.

Howard County police are also investigating the April death of 3-year-old as a homicide. The child was found dead of asphyxiation April 13 at his home, 9685 Basket Ring Road #2.

No one has been arrested in that case.