HOLLYWOOD, Md. — A 16-year-old boy died in a shooting at a volunteer fire department's carnival in 2022. Now, nearly two years later, a second man involved in his death has been convicted.
The shooting happened at the Hollywood Volunteer Fire Department’s carnival on July 15, 2022. Sheriff deputies and emergency personnel were already in attendance before shots were heard around 11 p.m. in the parking lot of the carnival, which was held at 24801 Three Notch Road in Hollywood.
In a video posted on Tiktok, a man attending the carnival can be heard yelling that shots were fired and attendees should take shelter. Syncere Kovey Smith, 16, was one of the people shot. He later died from his injuries at MedStar St. Mary's Hospital in Leonardtown.
A second teen was also wounded in the shooting.
A day after the shooting, the St. Mary's Sheriff's Office said 19-year-old Devron Ny’Quez Murray was arrested for the shooting. Murray was found guilty by a jury in Nov. 2023 of first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, and related offenses.
Months later, the sheriff's office announced the conviction of a second man, 21-year-old Thomas Moreland. After a five-day trial, Moreland was found guilty by a jury of first-degree murder, second-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, attempted second-degree murder, first-degree assault and conspiracy to commit first-degree assault.
“The annual Hollywood Carnival is a treasured family tradition, but on July 15, 2022, the Defendant, along with others, orchestrated and executed a nightmarish event for those in attendance and inflicted widespread fear that rippled throughout the County and beyond,” said Sterling.
Moreland will be held without bond until he is sentenced. He faces the maximum penalty of life in prison.
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