A St. Mary’s jury last week found Thomas Lavon Moreland, 21, of Lexington Park guilty of murder for his participation in the Hollywood carnival shooting two years ago that took the life of one 16-year-old and left another teenager suffering from two gunshot wounds.
Moreland was indicted in late 2022 for first-degree murder, first-degree attempted murder and misdemeanor counts of contributing to first-degree murder and contributing to assault in regard to the shooting death of 16-year-old Syncere Kovey Smith of Lexington Park and injuring the other teenager.
Devron Ny’Quez Murray, who was 19 at the time of the shooting, was also charged in 2022 shooting. A jury last fall found Murray guilty of first- and second-degree murder, first- and second-degree attempted murder, first-degree assault, two counts of use of a firearm in a crime of violence and other weapons violations. A sentencing hearing for Murray is scheduled in early May.
According to police, at 10:57 p.m. on Friday, July 15, 2022, several gunshots were heard coming from the carnival’s parking lot at the Hollywood firehouse and deputies and public safety personnel responded.
According to a court document, Smith was found with multiple gunshot wounds. He was transported to MedStar St. Mary’s Hospital in Leonardtown where he later died.
In addition, a 17-year-old had been shot in the leg.
Murray was arrested shortly after the shootings outside a gas station. A 9 mm Smith & Wesson with an empty magazine was recovered nearby behind a shed.
The carnival shooting two years ago stemmed from an ongoing dispute between two known rival groups of youth offenders, according to the sheriff’s office.
“The annual Hollywood carnival is a treasured family tradition, but on July 15, 2022, the defendant, along with others, orchestrated and executed a nightmarish event for those in attendance and inflicted widespread fear that rippled throughout the county and beyond,” State’s Attorney Jaymi Sterling (R) said in a release.
After a five-day jury trial last week, a St. Mary’s jury convicted Moreland of first- and second-degree murder, first- and second-degree attempted murder, first-degree assault and conspiracy to commit first-degree assault.
He will be held without bond pending a sentencing hearing, where he faces a maximum penalty of life in prison, according to the state’s attorney’s office release.
Judge Joseph Stanalonis presided over the case.
Senior assistant state’s attorneys Sarah Proctor and Alena Mosier prosecuted the case. The defendant was represented by Deborah Warner-Dennis of Towson.
Detective Tyler Payne and Cpl. Daniel Sidorowicz of the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office were the lead investigators.
According to court records, a sentencing date for Moreland has not been set at this time.
Most Popular
Comments / 0