Son Of Baltimore Commander Charged With Roommate's Murder

The son of a prominent police official in Baltimore has been arrested and charged with murder following the fatal stabbing of his roommate.

A fight between Melvin Russell, 28, and his 49-year-old roommate ended with both men suffering from multiple stab wounds, Fox Baltimore reports. The roommate, who has not been identified, was taken to an area hospital and later succumbed to his injuries.

Russell was treated for stab wounds to his arm and then released, CBS Baltimore reports. He is charged with first- and second-degree murder, as well as assault and weapons violations.

The accused is the son of Lt. Col. Melvin Russell, who leads the Baltimore Police Department's Community Collaboration Unit, according to the Baltimore Sun.

To avoid a conflict of interest, the Baltimore County prosecutor's office will be assigned the case, rather than Baltimore state's attorney's office.

"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," Mosby's office said in a statement, according to the Sun.

The Baltimore Fraternal Order of Police shared the following tweet in support of the elder Russell.

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