Melvin Russell, 28, the son of Baltimore Lt. Col. Melvin Russell, was arrested Tuesday in connection with the stabbing death of his roommate, the Baltimore Sun reports. His father heads the department's Community Collaboration Unit, which has been leading neighborhood outreach efforts, the news site notes.
According to the report, the younger Russell is facing charges of first- and second-degree murder, assault and weapons violations. The 28-year-old and his 49-year-old roommate reportedly got into a fight in which both sustained stab wounds. The roommate, who has not been identified, was pronounced dead at a hospital.
Baltimore City State's Attorney Marilyn Mosby has referred the case to county prosecutors, citing conflict of interest, the Sun notes.
"State's Attorney Marilyn J. Mosby has a personal relationship with this family and felt it best to refer this case to an independent prosecutor," the officer said in a statement.
Baltimore County State's Attorney Scott Shellenberger said that he readily agreed to oversee the case after receiving a call from Mosby on Tuesday.
"I agreed to assign one of my prosecutors immediately to the case," Shellenberger said. "From this point forward, everything will be handled by my office."
Read more at the Baltimore Sun.