Medical man accused of leaving unsecured gun within reach of 4-year-old girl was on the loose for boxer's murder

Lina Portman4 weeks ago

0 2 minutes read

The 20-year-old Cheverly, Md., man was arrested Monday on gun charges after a 4-year-old's relative found a gun and accidentally shot himself, was on house arrest and was scheduled to be tried in Washington for the 2023 death of boxer Anwar. “The Silent Assassin” Wingate.

The 20-year-old Cheverly, Maryland, man arrested Monday on gun charges after a 4-year-old's relative found a gun and accidentally shot himself was on home detention and scheduled to stand trial in Washington on the the death in 2023 of boxer Anwar. “The Silent Assassin” Wingate.

Jayvon Thomas was held without bail following a hearing Tuesday afternoon in Prince George's County District Court on the firearms charges.

As first reported by WTOP partner 7News, Thomas was under home confinement and electronic monitoring when the 4-year-old found a “ghost gun” with no serial number under a bed while she was playing hide and seek, and accidentally shot herself.

Thomas and Lavar Hunter, 19, were each arraigned in January in Washington Superior Court on one count of first-degree murder while armed in Wingate's death during a robbery at gunpoint in November 2023.

On April 8, at the request of his lawyer, Thomas was placed under house arrest and electronic monitoring by a judge.

During a press briefing Tuesday morning, Prince George's County Police Chief Malik Aziz said police are now aware of Thomas' arrest and release ahead of his trial.

“A 4-year-old child was injured and it could have been much worse,” Aziz said. “We could be planning a funeral for a 4-year-old child right now due to the recklessness and negligence of an individual who clearly has no respect for such a deadly weapon, even in the presence of young children. “

Aziz was asked whether a man charged with first-degree murder in another jurisdiction should be behind bars before his trial. He said it was a valid question.

“I’m going to let the other branch of the criminal justice system handle these things,” the police chief said. “These questions need to be answered no matter what state or jurisdiction they are in.”

According to D.C. court records, Thomas is scheduled to appear in court Friday for a status hearing. D.C. prosecutors filed a notice of violation of his pretrial release conditions on Monday, after Thomas' arrest in Maryland.

Aziz did not rule out that the charges could be upgraded in Maryland as the investigation continues.

“We provide justice and investigate based on the facts,” Aziz said. “If other information appears, we will make the adjustment and add an additional charge to that individual.”

When asked about the 4-year-old's injuries, Aziz said that while they were not life-threatening, “it's traumatic — this child is going to need tender, loving care.”

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