Who Is Brian Michael Delen? The Suspect Behind the Bel Air Shooting That Claimed the Life of Corey Samuels

On May 30, 2022, a tragic incident occurred in Bel Air, Maryland, when a 23-year-old man named Corey Samuels was shot and killed inside his apartment by an intruder. The suspect, identified as Brian Michael Delen, 31, of Rosedale, was arrested later that day in Baltimore and charged with first- and second-degree murder, home invasion, and other related offenses. He is currently being held without bail in the Harford County Detention Center.

But who is Delen, and what motivated him to commit such a heinous crime? What do we know about his background, his relationship with the victim, and his possible motives? In this article, we will try to answer these questions and shed some light on the life and personality of the man accused of taking away another man’s life.

Brian Michael Delen – A Troubled Past

According to court records, He has a history of criminal activity and mental health issues. He was previously convicted of assault, theft, drug possession, and resisting arrest, among other charges. He also had several restraining orders filed against him by his ex-girlfriends, who accused him of stalking, harassment, and physical abuse. One of them, who wished to remain anonymous, told CNN that Delen was “a violent and manipulative person who would not leave me alone.”

Brian Michael Delen also suffered from bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, according to his mother, who spoke to CNN on the condition of anonymity. She said that her son had been diagnosed with these mental illnesses when he was 18 and that he had been in and out of psychiatric hospitals and treatment centers ever since. She said that he often stopped taking his medication and became paranoid and delusional. She said that he believed that people were out to get him and that he had a fixation with guns and violence.

“He was not the same person I raised,” she said. “He was a sweet and loving boy, but he changed after he got sick. He became angry and bitter, and he blamed everyone else for his problems. He refused to get help, and he pushed away everyone who cared about him.”

A fatal encounter

On the morning of May 30, 2022, Delen allegedly entered the apartment of Corey Samuels, who lived in the 1900 block of North Fountain Green Road in Bel Air. According to the Harford County Sheriff’s Office, He shot Samuels multiple times in the torso and head, killing him on the spot. Delen then fled the scene, leaving behind a trail of blood and shell casings.

The motive for the shooting remains unclear, but investigators believe that it was the result of a dispute between Brian and Samuels. According to the sheriff’s office, Delen and Samuels knew each other through a mutual acquaintance, and that they had a history of conflict. The nature and extent of their relationship, however, is still under investigation.

Witnesses and surveillance footage from the apartment complex helped the authorities identify Brian Michael Delen as the suspect, and he was arrested in Baltimore about 12 hours after the shooting. He was taken into custody without incident, and confessed to the crime during the interrogation, according to the sheriff’s office.

A grieving family

Corey Samuels was a beloved son, brother, and friend, who had a bright future ahead of him. He was a graduate of Bel Air High School, where he was a star athlete and a popular student. He was also a talented musician and artist, who enjoyed playing the guitar and drawing. He had a passion for cars and motorcycles and worked as a mechanic at a local garage.

He was described by his family and friends as a kind, generous, and fun-loving person, who always had a smile on his face and a joke to tell. He was devoted to his family, especially his younger sister, whom he adored. He was also a loyal and supportive friend, who would always lend a helping hand or a listening ear.

“He was the best thing that ever happened to me,” his mother, Lisa Samuels, told CNN. “He was my baby, my angel, my everything. He had so much to live for, and he was taken away from me too soon. He didn’t deserve this. He didn’t do anything wrong. He was just in the wrong place at the wrong time.”

She said that she was devastated by the loss of her son and that she wanted justice for him. She said that she hoped that Brian Michael Delen would be punished for his actions and that he would never hurt anyone else again.

“I want him to rot in jail for the rest of his life,” she said. “He took away my son, and he ruined my life. He has no remorse, no conscience, no soul. He is a monster, and he needs to pay for what he did.”

Police identified the suspect as Brian Michael Delen, 47, of Bel Air, and said he and the victim got into a fight, during which the victim was shot in the upper torso.https://t.co/TqTQ2QYGj7 pic.twitter.com/ufWqhrzOZf

— WBAL NewsRadio 1090 and FM 101.5 (@wbalradio) December 28, 2023

A pending trial

Delen is facing a possible life sentence without parole for the first-degree murder of Samuels, as well as a concurrent 20-year sentence for the use of a firearm in the commission of a felony and crime of violence. He pleaded guilty to both charges on Dec. 14, 2022, and was sentenced by Judge Kevin Mahoney on Jan. 4, 2023.

However, his defense attorney, who declined to comment for this article, has filed a motion to withdraw his guilty plea, claiming that Brian Michael Delen was not mentally competent to make such a decision. He has requested a psychiatric evaluation for his client, and a hearing to determine his mental status. The prosecution has opposed the motion, arguing that Brian was fully aware of the consequences of his plea and that he had no valid reason to change it.

The judge has not yet ruled on the motion, and the case is still pending in the Harford County Circuit Court. The next court date is scheduled for Feb. 15, 2023.

A shocking story

The fatal shooting of Corey Samuels by Brian Michael Delen has shocked and saddened the community of Bel Air and the state of Maryland. It has also raised questions about the issues of gun violence, mental health, and criminal justice in the country. How could such a senseless and brutal act happen in a peaceful and prosperous town? How could a man with a history of mental illness and violence get access to a firearm and use it to kill another man? How could the justice system prevent such tragedies from happening again, and protect the rights and safety of both the victims and the perpetrators?

These are some of the questions that many people are asking, and that many experts are trying to answer. There are no easy or simple answers, but there are some possible solutions and suggestions. Some of them include:

• Strengthening the background check system for gun purchases, and closing the loopholes that allow some people to buy guns without a proper screening.
• Increasing the funding and availability of mental health services, and reducing the stigma and barriers that prevent some people from seeking help.
• Improving the training and education of law enforcement and judicial officials, and enhancing the collaboration and communication between different agencies and departments.
• Providing more support and resources for the families and friends of the victims and the perpetrators, and offering them counseling and assistance.
• Promoting a culture of peace and respect, and encouraging dialogue and understanding among different groups and individuals.

These are some of the possible ways to address the problem of gun violence, mental health, and criminal justice in the country, and to prevent similar incidents from happening again. They are not the only ones, nor are they the definitive ones. They are, however, a starting point for a conversation and an action that is urgently needed.

The fatal shooting of Corey Samuels by Brian Michael Delen is a tragic and heartbreaking story, that has touched and affected many lives. It is also a story that can teach us some valuable lessons, and inspire us to make some positive changes. It is a story that we should not forget, and that we should learn from.