WASHINGTON — Two Maryland men face charges for their role in the murder of 24-year-old Anwar "The Silent Assassin" Wingate, a local professional boxer.
Jayvon Thomas, 20, and Lavar Hunter, 19, were arraigned in court on Thursday on one count of first-degree murder while armed for the November 2023 homicide that occurred inside a parking lot located on 8th Street NW.
Both Thomas and Hunter were arrested Wednesday morning in Maryland and have pleaded not guilty. Both are being held without bond until their next court appearance on Feb. 2.
Investigators say on Nov. 19, 2023 officers located Wingate with a single gunshot wound to the neck.
Hunter is the alleged shooter, according to court documents.
Court documents say the two men allegedly tried to rob the Prince George's native, telling investigators that they tried to take advantage of his intoxicated state.
Investigators describe Wingate's behavior that was recorded on surveillance video as, "extremely intoxicated, bending over, stumbling at times."
"He was drunk out of his mind, and you know it ticked me of that they took advantage of him in that vulnerable position," Wingate told reporters.
Anwar's grandfather, Lester Wingate was inside the courtroom when the two suspects were arraigned. He told WUSA9 his grandson should not have been consuming alcohol the night he was killed because he was preparing for an upcoming fight.
The unnamed witness said the two men knew the 24-year-old was a well-known boxer so they that if he tried to "resist or fight at all, they would shoot him immediately."
Thomas is accused of lunging at Wingate at some point, but no details were provided into what prompted the altercation.
An unnamed witness told investigators that the two men allegedly tried taking the gun Wingate was carrying in his waistband, according to court documents.
Through surveillance video investigators allege that Wingate was being recorded by Thomas as he flaunted a handgun moments before he was shot. The same unnamed witness told detectives that the two men were mocking the professional boxer on social media.
The suspects' defense alleged at the surveillance video used in the case is not sufficient evidence to connect their clients to the homicide.
READ NEXT:
WATCH NEXT:
Do you have a news tip on this story or any other story? We want to hear from you. Tell us about it by emailing newstips@wusa9.com.
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.