LANGLEY PARK, Md. — Police have arrested two men less than 24 hours after a 2-year-old boy was killed and his mother wounded in a shooting in Langley Park.
According to the Prince George's County Police Department, 33-year-old Israel Fuentas, Jr., and 28-year-old Johnny Alejandro Turcios – both of Lewisdale – are charged in connection to the murder of 2-year-old Jeremy Poou-Caceres and wounding the boy's mother.
The shooting happened just after 5:30 p.m. in the 1400 block of Kanawha Street. A detective in the area responded after hearing the gunfire and found a mother and her 2-year-old son suffering from gunshot wounds outside of an apartment complex.
Using a trauma kit, the detective tried to save 2-year-old Jeremy's life until an ambulance arrived. The toddler was later pronounced dead at the hospital. His mother was taken to a D.C. hospital and is expected to survive.
In a press conference Friday evening, Prince George's County Assistant Police Chief Vernon Hale III said at least two people, believed to be Fuentas and Turcios, got out of a carjacked car and began shooting at a group of people. The mother and son were walking in the area and got caught in the crossfire.
"That young baby did nothing to anyone and did not deserve to die because someone wants to come out here and play with guns," Hale said in a press conference Thursday night. "Bullets come down and have consequences."
The carjacked vehicle was found empty later that night, with a weapon found inside. Hale said investigators believe ballistics will match the gun that killed the 2-year-old.
Fuentas and Turcios have since been taken into custody. Hale says the arrests come after detectives assigned to the case refused to go home.
“The dedicated detectives who are assigned to this case haven’t been home since the murder. They have worked with fierce determination to identify those responsible for taking the life of this innocent child. We hope these two arrests provide some comfort to Jeremy’s grieving family," said Hale. "This investigation is far from over. We will not stop until everyone involved in this murder is in custody."
The two men are facing first-degree murder charges and are remain in the agency's custody until they can be taken to the Department of Corrections. Detectives say the investigation is ongoing as they continue to work to identify and arrest more suspects. Officers say they believe two more people were inside the carjacked vehicle.
Anyone with information on this case who would like to speak to a Homicide Unit detective may call 301-516-2512. Those will tips may also contact Crime Solvers online at www.pgcrimesolvers.com, the “P3 Tips” mobile app (search “P3 Tips” in the Apple Store or Google Play to download the app onto your mobile device), or call 1-866-411-TIPS (8477). You can remain anonymous. Callers are asked to refer to case number 24-0008189.