Columbia Man Charged With Attempted Murder

A Columbia man faces attempted murder charges after a weekend stabbing in Ellicott City, according to Howard County Police. 

According to police, witnesses on the 8300 block of Main Street said Christopher Thomas Hecker, 23, of Kerry Hill Court, was getting into a black Nissan SUV when Brian Black, 29, of Severn, tried to get in as well.

Police said they think one of Hecker’s friends offered Black a ride, but that Hecker and Black did not know each other.

Hecker told Black to get out of the car, witnesses told police, and then the two began fighting in the parking lot. That’s when Black was stabbed, according to witnesses; then Hecker drove away with one friend.

Police were called to the parking lot at about 2:30 a.m. on Saturday. When they arrived, they found Black with multiple stab wounds. He was taken to Shock Trauma with “life-threatening injuries.” According to police, his condition improved and he was in stable condition later that day. 

At the scene, witnesses told police where Hecker might have gone. Police said they found him sitting in the SUV with his friend, in front of her house on Font Hill Drive.

The friend was questioned, but not charged. Police said they found a knife.

Hecker faces first- and second-degree attempted murder and first- and second-degree assault charges.