MARYLAND – The Prince George’s County Police Department’s Homicide Unit charged the man who shot two people at a Suitland cemetery, killing one of the victims.
The suspect 48-year-old Wilson Chavis of Hughesville, MD., is charged in connection with the fatal shooting of 30-year-old Ronald Steven Banks of Washington, DC. Banks was a pallbearer at a burial service being held at the cemetery.
According to NBC, Banks was attending the funeral of 10-year-old Arianna Davis, who was shot Sunday, May 14, She died three days later.
In the news: Maryland Man And Woman Sentenced In Murder, Dismemberment Of Roomate
On June 6, 2023, at approximately 1:20 pm, patrol officers responded to a cemetery in the 4100 block of Suitland Road for the report of a shooting.
Banks was located suffering from a gunshot wound. He died a short time later at a hospital. A second victim, an adult female, suffered a graze wound.
The preliminary investigation revealed that Chavis owns the funeral service company that was providing funeral and burial services for a young child buried at the cemetery.
While the burial service was preparing to get underway, Chavis confronted two people at the service.
Those individuals are affiliated with a second funeral service company with which Chavis has a long-standing business dispute.
In the news: Maryland Man Sentenced To 10 Years After Early Release From Prison And Robbing Florida Bank
Police say several funeral attendees became upset with Chavis and confronted him over his behavior.
Chavis pulled out a gun and fired two shots, striking both victims. He then fled the cemetery in his vehicle. Several minutes later, an officer with the Morningside Police Department observed Chavis and conducted a traffic stop. He was taken into custody.
Chavis is charged with first and second-degree murder, attempted first and second-degree murder, and related charges. He is in the custody of the Department of Corrections.
If anyone has information relevant to this investigation, they are asked to please call detectives at 301-516-2512.
Android Users, Click To Download The Free Press App And Never Miss A Story. Follow Us On Facebook and Twitter. Signup for our free newsletter.
We can’t do this without your help; visit our GiveSendGo page and donate any dollar amount; every penny helps.