UPDATE-Search for Missing Swimmer Continues in Piney Point

 

UPDATE: On July 18, 2022, the missing person, Genesi Elizabeth Sosa-Bonilla was located deceased near where she was last seen in the water.

The St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office thanks all agencies and personnel involved in the search and recovery.

Original Release: On July 17, 2022, at 1:05 p.m. the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office along with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, and various community members from the volunteer fire and rescue companies responded to Camp Merryelande located at 15914 Camp Merryelande Road in Piney Point, for the report of swimmers in distress.

Preliminary investigation indicates two 10-year-old juveniles, and an adult male were in the water when the current pulled them further out into the Potomac River. The adult made it to shore safely, and one of the two juveniles was rescued from the water by citizens nearby.

Today, the search continues for the second 10-year-old female, Genesi Elizabeth Sosa-Bonilla. Maryland State Police Trooper 7 helicopter, Charles County Fire Department Dive Team, along with United States Coast Guard helicopters, and drones from the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office, also responded to the scene and assisted in the search. Sheriff’s Office personnel and the Coast Guard remained on scene throughout the night and continued the search.

A unified command post has been established at the scene and the search for the missing child continues.

Citizens may remain anonymous and contact Crime Solvers at (301) 475-3333, or text a tip to “TIP239” plus their message to “CRIMES” (274637).  Through the Crime Solvers Program tipsters are eligible for an award of up to $1,000 for information about a crime in St. Mary’s County that leads to an arrest or indictment.

 

Search for Missing Swimmer Continues in Piney Point

 

On July 17, 2022, at 1:05 p.m. the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office along with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, and various community members from the volunteer fire and rescue companies responded to Camp Merryelande located at 15914 Camp Merryelande Road in Piney Point, for the report of swimmers in distress.

Preliminary investigation indicates two 10-year-old juveniles, and an adult male were in the water when the current pulled them further out into the Potomac River. The adult made it to shore safely, and one of the two juveniles was rescued from the water by citizens nearby.

Today, the search continues for the second 10-year-old female, Genesi Elizabeth Sosa-Bonilla. Maryland State Police Trooper 7 helicopter, Charles County Fire Department Dive Team, along with United States Coast Guard helicopters, and drones from the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office, also responded to the scene and assisted in the search. Sheriff’s Office personnel and the Coast Guard remained on scene throughout the night and continued the search.

A unified command post has been established at the scene and the search for the missing child continues.

Citizens may remain anonymous and contact Crime Solvers at (301) 475-3333, or text a tip to “TIP239” plus their message to “CRIMES” (274637).  Through the Crime Solvers Program tipsters are eligible for an award of up to $1,000 for information about a crime in St. Mary’s County that leads to an arrest or indictment.

For official news and information, follow the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office on Twitter @firstsheriff.

 

Sheriff's Office Seeking Videos in Homicide Investigation

 

The St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office has activated an online portal and is seeking additional information related to a homicide investigation on Friday, July 15, 2022, at the Hollywood Volunteer Fire Department Carnival. 

Anyone who has video of the incident, prior, during or after the shooting is asked to share the digital file with our agency. Files can be shared anonymously. 

Videos can be submitted at https://www.firstsheriff.com/uploadevidence 

Counseling Services Available on Sunday, July 17, 2022

 

 

In a collaborative effort with the community and Serenity Place, LLC, the St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office announces that free mental health and counseling services will be available on Sunday, July 17, 2022, at the Hollywood Volunteer Rescue Squad from 10 am to 2 pm.

Hollywood Volunteer Fire Department Carnival Cancelled this Weekend

 

Press Release via Hollywood Volunteer Fire Department: 

"Due to an incident that occurred on Friday evening in our parking lot, the Carnival has been cancelled for Saturday July 16th and Sunday July 17th.

On Friday evening at approximately 11pm, as the Carnival ended and guests were leaving, a shooting occurred in the Upper Parking Lot of the Fire House. Two individuals were found suffering from gunshots wounds and were provided medical treatment immediately by Fire and EMS personnel on the scene. Both patients were transported to the hospital, one via MSP aviation and the second was ground transported by Hollywood EMS.

This incident is an ongoing investigation by St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office. If you have any information or any questions reference this incident, please contact the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office at 301-475-8008.

Our Annual Carnival has been a part of our Fire Department for generations and is a staple to the Hollywood Community. The Hollywood Volunteer Fire Department membership takes great pride in the tradition of the annual carnival. We strive to provide a family-based, safe setting for all citizens to enjoy themselves. The department looks forward to the annual carnival for several reasons, most notably as a means to bring the community together and as a main source of funding as our largest fundraiser.

The incident that took place on Friday evening not only affected the members of our community, but our HVFD Members and their Families that were in attendance at the Carnival at the time of the incident.

We would like to express our sympathy to the entire community which has been affected by this tragedy. All media inquiries can be directed to the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office's Office of Public Information.

Additional information reference the Hollywood VFD Carnival will be forthcoming." 

Lexington Park Man Charged in Homicide Investigation

 

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.