Maryland teen fatally shot inside her bedroom

ELLICOTT CITY, Md. — A 16-year-old girl, her mother and the suspected gunman were shot early New Year's Day in Maryland, police said.

Police said Charlotte Zaremba's mother, Suzanne, heard a scuffle in her daughter's bedroom room early Sunday morning and entered the room. That's when police said the suspect opened fire on Charlotte's mother, shot Charlotte and then himself in the Ellicott City, Md., home. Ellicott City is west of Baltimore.

Charlotte was taken to the hospital, where she died.

Howard County, Md., detectives identified the suspect as a 15-year-old male, but did not release his identity or provide a motive. Police said the alleged gunman shot himself in the head.

“She just always was smiling, and she was always happy, and I don’t know, she was just like really sweet and a good friend,” said Isabella Kushner. She said she and Charlotte were martial arts sparring partners for a little while. Isabella's father, Brian, was their instructor.

“She was quiet but, you know, strong-minded it’s just, this is really sad. This is uh, it’s devastating. I don’t know how to put it into words,” said Brian Kushner, who frequently started at the floor in shock, searching for words.

Suzanne Zaremba, 52, was treated and released from the hospital Sunday morning.

The 15-year-old suspect was in critical condition at Shock Trauma in Baltimore.

Police said another family member was home at the time of the shooting, but was not harmed.

“She was a strong person. I mean she, when you talked to her, she, you could feel her personality,” said Brian Kushner.

Isabella Kushner said Zaremba was a student at Howard High School.

“The entire community of Howard County is just like, trying to support everybody and her family,” Isabella Kushner said.

Contributing: The Associated Press. Follow Stephanie Ramirez on Twitter: @RamirezReports