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| Devron Ny'Quez Murray |
A 19-year-old Lexington Park man has been arrested and charged by the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office in a fatal shooting at the Hollywood Volunteer Fire Department’s annual carnival on Friday evening.
Devron Ny’Quez Murray, age 19 of Lexington Park, has been charged with First-Degree Murder; Second-Degree Murder; First-Degree Attempted Murder; Second-Degree Attempted Murder and two counts of First-Degree Assault. Murray is being held at the St. Mary’s County Detention and Rehabilitation Center in Leonardtown.
On July 15, 2022, multiple Sheriff’s Office deputies and other public safety personnel were already in attendance at the Hollywood Volunteer Fire Department at 24801 Three Notch Road in Hollywood. At 10:57 pm, several gunshots were heard coming from the carnival’s parking lot and deputies and public safety personnel immediately responded.
A 16-year-old male victim, Syncere Kovey Smith, was found suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Smith was transported to MedStar St. Mary’s Hospital in Leonardtown where he later succumbed to his injuries. Another man was struck by a bullet in the leg and was air transported to an area trauma center.
Numerous witnesses provided a description of the shooter who was located
nearby in a matter of minutes at the Birdie’s gas station in Hollywood. A search of the area
located a 9mm handgun. Murray is prohibited from possessing a handgun
because of his age.
Preliminary investigation determined that this incident was not a random act. The incident stems from an ongoing dispute between two known rival groups of youth offenders.
Anyone with additional information about this incident is asked to call Detective First Class Tyler Payne at 301-475-4200, ext. 78010 or email tyler.payne@stmarysmd.com.
The St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office wishes to thank all of the agencies and individuals who responded and assisted on the scene, including volunteer fire and rescue personnel, the Maryland State Police for assisting in the arrest of the suspect, the St. Mary's County Department of Public Safety and carnival goers who assisted others, including the children and elderly, to take cover.
