LA PLATA, MD—Tony Covington, State’s Attorney for Charles County announced that on Friday, May 5, 2017, a Charles County jury convicted Deavan Quindel Jefferson, 20, of Second Degree Murder of Reuel Laparis Hicks, Jr., Unlawful Use of a Firearm in the Commission of a Crime of Violence related to the Murder of Reuel Laparis Hicks, Jr., Possession of a Regulated Firearm under the age of 21, and the Wear, Carry, and Transport of a Handgun Upon Their Person.
On October 26, 2016, officers responded to the AMC Loews Movie Theater located at the 11100 block of Mall Circle in Waldorf for the report of a shooting. Upon arrival, officers found one victim, Reuel Laparis Hicks, Jr., 18 of Waldorf, with a single gunshot wound to his head. The victim was flown to a hospital where he was later pronounced dead.
An investigation into the shooting revealed that Jefferson and the victim, who were acquaintances, first made contact at the area mall where Jefferson solicited the victim for marijuana. Jefferson and the victim then walked to a secluded area of the movie theater parking lot to complete the drug transaction. During the transaction, Jefferson and the victim got into a brief argument when Jefferson suddenly produced a handgun, shot the victim, and then fled the scene.
Two witnesses of the shooting were able to give a detailed description of the shooter to officers. Jefferson was apprehended that night.
A sentencing date has been set for July 10, 2017. Jefferson faces 55 years.