UPPER MARLBORO, Md. — A man accused of firing an AK-47 during a shooting that killed a 2-year-old boy caught in the crossfire was on probation at the time, prosecutors said at his bail hearing Monday.
Jeremy Poou-Caceres was shot and killed in the 1400 block of Kanawha Street in Langley Park Thursday when two groups started shooting at one another while he and his 17-year-old mother were walking outside their apartment complex. Less than 24 hours later, police announced that 33-year-old Israel Fuentas, Jr., and 28-year-old Johnny Alejandro Turcios had been arrested and charged in the toddler's death and his mother's wounding.
Investigators now say they have video showing Turcios in possession of the rifle, assistant state's attorney Giovanna Miller told Prince George's County District Court Judge Clayton A. Aarons in court Monday. Police recovered the AK-47 used in the shooting in the apartment where they arrested Turcios, according to court documents. In addition to a group of 7.62 mm rifle shell casings found at the location where investigators believe Turcios was firing from, a number of .40 caliber handgun shell casings were found on the ground near where the child and his mother were shot.
Public defenders representing Turcios and Fuentas conceded that their clients should continue to be jailed as investigators pursue the other individuals involved in the gunfight. The judge ordered both men held without bail.
Some of Jeremy's family members were in court for Monday's detention hearings, but they chose not to speak when it was apparent public defenders were not going to attempt to get the suspects out on bail.
Turcios was on supervised probation at the time of the shooting, prosecutors said. Court records show he was convicted of robbery in 2017 and given a 12-year sentence, with 10 years suspended. He began probation that year, the documents say. Fuentes' record also includes convictions for robbery and charges of possession of a stolen gun and ammunition.
The shootout stemmed from a turf war over drug territory, according to charging documents in the case.
Prince George's County Police say they are continuing to look for a second group of people involed in the shootout with Turcios and Fuentes.
MORE WAYS TO GET WUSA9
DOWNLOAD THE WUSA9 APP
Apple App Store: WUSA9 News on Apple
Google Play Store: WUSA9 News on Android
HOW TO ADD THE FREE WUSA9+ APP TO YOUR STREAMING DEVICE
ROKU: add the channel from the ROKU store or by searching for WUSA9.
For both Apple TV and Fire TV, search for "WUSA9" to find the free app to add to your account. Another option for Fire TV is to have the app delivered directly to your Fire TV through Amazon.
SIGN UP TO RECEIVE WUSA9 NEWSLETTER
Subscribe to our daily WUSA9 Newsletter for top stories from WUSA9 curated daily just for you. Get content and information right now for can’t-miss stories, Commanders content, weather, and more delivered right to your inbox.