Tag Archives: handgun

ABINGDON MAN CONVICTED OF FIRST-DEGREE MURDER

Date: April 17, 2026
Re: State v. David Williams

On Friday, April 17, 2026, David Williams, 67, of Abingdon, was convicted of First Degree Murder, Use of a Firearm in a Felony or Crime of Violence, Possession of a Regulated Firearm By a Prohibited Person, Possession of Ammunition by a Prohibited Person, and Impairing the Verity or Availability of Physical Evidence following a five-day jury trial before the Honorable Judge Alex Allman in the Circuit Court for Harford County. The Defendant will remain in custody at the Harford County Detention Center until his sentencing hearing, which will be scheduled after a Pre-Sentence Investigation.

Facts presented in the trial proved that on June 30, 2025, Lillian Williams was shot and killed in the upstairs of her Abingdon home. At the time of the murder, her husband, David Williams, was the only other occupant of the residence. After the murder, the Defendant left the victim in the residence to drive around and took the gun with him. Approximately an hour later, he returned to the residence after he discarded the gun in a wooded area and finally called 911 for assistance. He relayed pieces of the story to dispatchers and denied any knowledge of the details of the shooting. Despite the efforts of first responders, the victim had no pulse at the time of arrival and was pronounced deceased.

At the time of their response, Williams provided multiple stories to the responding deputies but allowed them access to his RING doorbell camera. He was eventually transported to the Criminal Investigation Division for further interviewing. There, his story changed again, and he claimed that the victim produced the weapon and that the gun simply went off during a struggle. An autopsy was conducted by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, which determined the victim’s manner of death to be a homicide. They also determined that the gun was fired from approximately one to three feet away. During their testimony, the Medical Examiner testified that the findings of the autopsy were not consistent with a struggle.

Warrants were also executed on the Defendant’s home and RING camera. Detectives recovered multiple gun cases, multiple types of ammunition, and a handgun holster from the Defendant’s bedroom. The videos from the RING camera on the night of the incident showed the Defendant kicking in the front door to gain access to the home, then calmly and repeatedly exiting and entering the home in the moments following the shooting. Other evidence presented also showed that the Defendant called a friend who resided out of State and advised that he had been in an altercation with a man that resulted in the man’s death.

Following the conviction, State’s Attorney Alison M. Healey offered the following comment: “After our prosecutors persisted through this five-day jury trial, we are thrilled with the First-Degree Murder conviction of David Williams, along with convictions on all other counts charged, ensuring justice is served for the death of Lillian Williams, the victim of this tragic, domestically-related homicide. It is the worst kind of betrayal and violence when a Defendant takes the life of someone with whom they have an intimate relationship. While the result of this case will never bring Ms. Williams back, it is my hope that the convictions in this case will bring some peace to her family in knowing that the person responsible for her death will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law and is likely to spend the rest of his life behind bars.”

Ms. Healey extends her sincere gratitude to Senior Assistant State’s Attorney Jason Allen and Assistant State’s Attorney Jenn Alvarez for their preparation, diligence, commitment, and advocacy in the prosecution of this case. She also commends the Harford County Sheriff’s Office for their thorough investigation of this case and especially thanks Deputies Alba, Elliot, and Distance of the Patrol Division, former Deputy and current Pentagon Police Officer Perez, Detectives Kaminiski and Golden and Forensic Lab Director Orchowitz of the Criminal Investigation Division for their assistance with the presentation of this case at trial. Finally, she recognizes the collaborative efforts of the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner and Harford County Emergency Services.

ABERDEEN MAN CONVICTED IN RELATION TO OCTOBER 2023 SHOOTING

Date: January 7, 2026
Re: State v. Alexander Maszkiewicz

On Monday, December 22, 2025, Alexander Maszkiewicz, 27, of Aberdeen, was sentenced to twenty-five (25) years of incarceration, suspending all but eighteen (18) years to serve by the Honorable Diane Adkins-Tobin in connection with an October 2023 shooting in Aberdeen, Maryland.

Following a three-day jury trial, Maszkiewicz was convicted by a jury on November 4, 2025, after the State proved that on October 18, 2023, approximately ten gunshots were fired in the 100 block of New County Road in Aberdeen. At the time of the incident, no witnesses or victims came forward, and the investigation initially went cold.

Despite the lack of immediate leads, Detective Lightner of the Aberdeen Police Department continued to pursue the case. In mid-2024, Detective Lightner received a critical ballistics lead that identified a possible suspect as Alexander Maszkiewicz. Through diligent and persistent investigative work, Detective Lightner was able to locate the Glock 43X used in the shooting and ultimately charge Maszkiewicz in relation to the shooting. Following the presentation of evidence in this case, the jury deliberated for 90 minutes, returning guilty verdicts against the Defendant on all charges presented, to include Illegal Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, Handgun on a Person, and Reckless Endangerment. The Defendant’s Maryland Sentencing Guidelines suggested a period of incarceration of five (5) to eight (8) years of incarceration. However, Senior Assistant State’s Attorney Joel Muneses was able to successfully argue for an upward deviation of the sentence in this case.

Following the sentencing State’s Attorney Alison M. Healey issued the following statement: “This case underscores the dedication of local law enforcement and further reinforces my office’s ongoing commitment and collaborative approach with law enforcement to investigate, charge, and convict violent offenders. Our focus continues to be protecting the citizens of Harford County by holding violent offenders accountable, even when cases begin with few leads.” State’s Attorney Healey further commends Detective Lightner on his outstanding investigative work in this case and Senior Assistant State’s Attorney Joel Muneses for his unwavering dedication to justice.

ABERDEEN MAN SENTENCED AFTER CONVICTION IN 2024 ARMED CARJACKING

Date: July 16, 2025
RE: State v. Michael Moore

On Wednesday, July 16, 2025, Michael Moore, 33, of Aberdeen, Maryland, was sentenced following a three-day jury trial in March 2025. The trial resulted in a swift verdict: the jury found Moore guilty of Armed Carjacking, Armed Robbery, and multiple related offenses after only 40 minutes of deliberation.

Evidence presented at trial proved that on February 16, 2024, the Aberdeen Police Department responded to a report of an armed carjacking and robbery in the 700 block of West Bel Air Avenue. The two victims were approached by two armed suspects. During the encounter, one of the victims sustained injuries to their face. A subsequent investigation led to the identification of Michael Moore as one of the suspects. The second suspect remains unknown. Continued investigation also recovered the 9mm ghost handgun used in this incident.

On July 16, 2025, Moore appeared before the Honorable Judge Kevin J. Mahoney for sentencing. Judge Mahoney imposed a sentence of 30 years to serve for Armed Carjacking, 20 years to serve consecutively for Armed Robbery, 20 years to serve concurrently for Armed Robbery, and 20 years, suspending all but five years to serve consecutively for Use of a Firearm in the Commission of a Crime of Violence.

In total, Michael Moore was sentenced to 70 years, all suspended but 55 years to serve. Since the crimes are classified as crimes of violence, Moore must serve at least 27 and a half years before he is eligible for his first parole review.

“This case is a strong reminder that violent crime has serious and lasting consequences,” said State’s Attorney Alison M. Healey following sentencing. “Our office remains steadfast in our mission to protect the citizens of Harford County. I want to extend my gratitude to Assistant State’s Attorney Joel Muneses, Detective Helf, and Detective Soto of the Aberdeen Police Department for their exemplary work and commitment to justice in this case.”

FIRST DEGREE MURDER CONVICTION IN 2024 JOPPATOWNE HIGH SCHOOL SHOOTING

Today, May 29, 2025, Jaylen Rushawn Prince, 16, of Edgewood, was convicted by a Harford County jury after three hours of deliberation of First Degree Murder, Use of a Firearm in Commission of a Crime of Violence, Minor in Possession of a Firearm, Dangerous Weapon on School Property, Loaded Handgun on a Person, and Handgun on a Person.

These convictions follow an eight-day jury trial, where evidence was presented proving that on September 6, 2024, first responders were dispatched to Joppatowne High School for reports of a shooting. Upon arrival, Harford County Sheriff’s Office deputies observed the victim to be a fifteen-year-old male student who had been shot inside the school bathroom. He was immediately transported to Johns Hopkins Bayview where lifesaving surgeries were attempted but unsuccessful, and he later succumbed to his injuries that afternoon.

Further investigation of the incident identified the shooter to be Jaylen Rushawn Prince. Witnesses presented in trial testified that Prince and the victim were engaged in a verbal altercation after the Defendant followed the victim into the school bathroom to confront him over issues relating to a female student. One of the student witnesses present at the time of the incident filmed the confrontation where Prince is clearly depicted as the aggressor, threatening to kill the victim four times. Witnesses testified that they observed Prince remove the firearm from his backpack, cock the weapon and ultimately shoot the victim before fleeing the scene and disposing of the murder weapon, which was never found.
State’s Attorney Alison M. Healey, who prosecuted the case with her co-counsel Anthony Baranauskas, offered the following comment after the verdict: “We are very proud today to have given justice to the victim’s family. At fifteen years old, his life was taken by this defendant far too soon in a place that is supposed to be safe for the children of our communities. There is absolutely no justifiable reason for a sixteen-year-old to be armed with a firearm, especially in the halls of our high schools. It is my hope that this case sends a clear message that if you make adult decisions that take the life of another, there will be adult consequences.”

State’s Attorney Healey would like to express her sincere thanks to Assistant State’s Attorney Anthony Baranauskas for his assistance in the preparation and prosecution of this case. She further commends Detective Ross of the Harford County Sheriff’s Office and all of the members of the Criminal Investigation Division as well as all the members of law enforcement that responded to this tragic incident.

Sentencing has been set for September 2, 2025, where the Defendant faces a maximum penalty of a life sentence plus twenty-eight years of incarceration.

FELONY FIREARM CONVICTION AFTER BALTIMORE MAN IMPERSONATES POLICE OFFICER

DATE: February 13, 2025
RE: State v. Edward Renard Kyler Sr.

On Wednesday, February 12, 2025, Edward Renard Kyler Sr, 42, of Baltimore, was convicted of Possession of a Firearm with a Felony Conviction following a two-day jury trial before the Honorable Alex Allman in the Circuit Court for Harford County.

Facts presented in trial proved that on June 26, 2022, Deputies with the Harford County Sheriff’s Office executed a search and seizure warrant in the 1100 block of Iron Bark Court in Bel Air, MD. The warrant was in furtherance of an investigation into Edward Renard Kyler, Sr. Kyler is prohibited from possessing regulated firearms and was reported to have some in his possession. A search of the residence revealed a black backpack belonging to Kyler, containing 3 BB guns, a Glock 9mm 10-round magazine (empty), a Glock BB magazine, a black handgun magazine with blank rounds, a CYTAC handgun holster, and a .22 caliber ROHM Model 66 revolver. A second search and seizure warrant of the Defendant’s vehicle revealed a black polo shirt labeled “SECURITY”, a black police-style outer carrier vest with attachments, “Security” patches, blue line flag patch, a Maryland State Police pin, 1 set of black handcuffs, an ASP-style baton, and four small light bars. Testimony given in trial revealed that Kyler was impersonating a Maryland State Trooper and was even observed pulling over a vehicle and representing himself as such while on a FaceTime call with his then-girlfriend. Following the guilty verdict, Kyler was sentenced to 10 years suspend all but 5 years to serve without the possibility of parole. Following his release, Kyler will submit to a period of 3 years of supervised probation.

Following the sentencing, State’s Attorney Alison M. Healey issued the following comment: “This defendant was clearly a threat to our community, impersonating police officers, violating our laws, and possessing firearms illegally with prior felony convictions. Removing these illegal firearms from a convicted felon’s possession ensures a safer community for all our citizens.”

State’s Attorney Healey thanks Assistant State’s Attorney Megan Lintott for her efforts in this case as well as Deputy First Class Snee and Deputy First Class Dixon of the Harford County Sheriff’s Office for their investigation and testimony leading to this conviction.

DEFENDANT SENTENCED IN 2024 HARFORD MALL SHOOTING

DATE: February 13, 2025
RE: State v. Wesley Larry Lyons Jr. – SENTENCING UPDATE

On Thursday, February 13, 2025, Wesley Larry Lyons Jr. was sentenced by the Honorable Diane Adkins-Tobin following his December 2024 conviction for Attempted Second Degree Murder, Use of a Firearm in the Commission of a Crime of Violence, Illegal Possession of a Regulated Firearm After Being Convicted of a Disqualifying Crime, Loaded Handgun on Person, and five (5) counts of Reckless Endangerment in the Circuit Court for Harford County. The conviction stemmed from a June 2024 shooting in the Harford Mall, followed by a 28-day manhunt that led to Lyons’ arrest.

Assistant State’s Attorneys Vincenzo Culotta and Frank Van Dyke argued for a sentence of 93 years to serve, sending a very clear message in their arguments that Harford County will not tolerate senseless acts of violence. Ultimately, Judge Adkins-Tobin sentenced the Defendant to 93 years, suspending all but 65 years to serve, the first 20 years of the sentence without the possibility of parole. Additionally, because this conviction is a crime of violence, Lyons will not be eligible for a parole review until at least half of his sentence is served.

Following the sentencing, State’s Attorney Alison M. Healey stated: “This significant sentence sends the message loud and clear that gun violence that endangers the lives of our citizens has no place in Harford County. Wesley Lyons will likely spend the rest of his life in prison, and I am incredibly proud of the hard work that my office is doing to ensure the safety of our community. As promised, we are trying cases, securing strong and lengthy sentences, and working hand in hand with our law enforcement partners to ensure the public safety of Harford County.”

State’s Attorney Healey continues to express her thanks to Assistant State’s Attorneys Vincenzo Culotta and Frank Van Dyke for their incredible efforts in securing this significant sentence as well as to Bel Air Police Department Detectives Vivino and Marchesani for their partnership from start to finish on this case.

JURY CONVICTS EDGEWOOD MAN OF ATTEMPTED SECOND DEGREE MURDER IN HARFORD MALL SHOOTING

DATE: December 11, 2024
RE: State v. Wesley Larry Lyons Jr.

On Wednesday, December 11, 2024, Wesley Larry Lyons Jr. was found guilty of Attempted Second Degree Murder, Use of a Firearm in the Commission of a Crime of Violence, two (2) counts of Illegal Possession of a Regulated Firearm After Being Convicted of a Disqualifying Crime, Loaded Handgun on Person, and five (5) counts of Reckless Endangerment following a four-day jury trial before the Honorable Diane Adkins-Tobin in the Circuit Court for Harford County.

Evidence presented in trial proved that on Sunday, June 2, 2024 at approximately 4:00 p.m., Bel Air Police Officers were dispatched to the Harford Bounce Party Place located at 698 Bel Air Road, in the Harford Mall, for the report of a shooting with an injured person. It was reported that the suspect in the shooting had already fled the scene, running out of the mall.

Officers were able to develop information on the suspect quickly from numerous victims and witnesses on scene. Officers were also able to review security footage of the shooting. The video showed a group of individuals arguing and fighting when the suspect produced a handgun from his waist area, which appeared to have an extended magazine. The suspect fired several shots at the victim who was trying to break up the altercation. The victim was struck by one bullet in his upper left thigh, one bullet in his groin, and one in his finger. It was discovered that the victim was there helping set up for a one-year-old’s birthday party. The child’s father, Wesley Larry Lyons Jr, was identified as the shooter. A fight broke out between Lyons’ mother and the mother of the one-year-old. Lyons took several seconds to clear a path before firing the gun five times at the victim. Lyons then put the gun in his waist band and fled the mall, running past several people.

Surveillance footage showed that at the time the victim was shot, two additional adults and two children were standing behind the victim, recklessly endangering them by putting them at risk of being shot. It was learned during the investigation that Lyons was prohibited from possessing a firearm due to a 2017 conviction for Possession with the Intent to Distribute and a 2009 conviction for Robbery.

Police were unable to apprehend Lyons on the day of the shooting. After a 28-day manhunt, Lyons was found in a Red Roof Inn in Anne Arundel County where he was arrested and transported back to Harford County Detention Center. Following the verdict, Lyons was returned to the custody of the Harford County Detention Center where he will be held pending sentencing. Sentencing has been scheduled in this matter for February 13, 2025.

Following the conviction, State’s Attorney Alison M. Healey stated: “It is despicable that anyone would resort to gun violence to resolve their issues. However, I am particularly appalled by Wesley Lyons and the decision he made to commit this heinous and very violent crime at the birthday party for a one-year-old child. This is further exacerbated by the fact that he did so in the presence of multiple other children and adults as well, placing them all in danger, when they were simply trying to engage in a celebration for a child in a bouncy house in as public of a place as the Harford Mall. As a prohibited person, he showed his complete disregard for the law as well as for the lives of those around him. Harford County will be a safer place with him incarcerated for decades to come.”

State’s Attorney Healey further expressed thanks to Assistant State’s Attorneys Vincenzo Culotta and Frank Van Dyke for their efforts in prosecuting this case and securing these felony convictions of this violent offender. She also expresses her gratitude to Bel Air Police Department Detectives Vivino and Marchesani and Harford County Sheriff’s Office Detective Wilsynski for their thorough investigation, as well as the Harford County Sheriff’s Office Warrant Apprehension Unit for their perseverance that ultimately led to the defendant’s capture.

CONVICTED FELON FOUND GUILTY IN FIREARM POSSESSION CASE

DATE: December 6, 2024
RE: State v. John Thomas Preston Jr.

On Thursday, December 5, 2024, John Thomas Preston Jr. was found guilty of Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Felon in Possession of a Rifle/Shotgun, False Statement to a Police Officer, and multiple related firearms and ammunition offenses following a three-day jury trial before the Honorable Diane Adkins-Tobin in the Harford County Circuit Court.

Evidence presented in trial proved that on January 10, 2023, Deputies with the Harford County Sheriff’s Office responded to a residence in Bel Air, Maryland for reports of a shooting. Deputies made contact with the Defendant, John Thomas Preston Jr., who was suffering from a gunshot entry wound on his left thigh and a gunshot exit wound on his left shin. Deputies recovered a bullet in Preston’s sock. Preston told deputies that he was arriving home after being followed by a vehicle and was ultimately shot upon exiting his vehicle. Preston was unable to provide any identifying information for the vehicle or the alleged shooter and told police multiple conflicting versions of the incident. A shell casing and blood was located near an exterior side entrance of his residence. Through the course of their investigation, detectives began to suspect Preston made up this story to cover up accidentally shooting himself in the leg.

Detectives ran a criminal background check for Preston and learned that he was prohibited from possessing a regulated firearm due to prior felony convictions for Possession with the Intent to Distribute Controlled Dangerous Substances. Detectives executed a search warrant for Preston’s residence. During that search warrant, they recovered a short-barreled shotgun with an obliterated serial number, and a shell casing matching the one found on the exterior of the residence was also located in Preston’s bedroom. A Rossi .357 revolver and .45 caliber ammunition were also recovered from the residence.

Following the conviction, State’s Attorney Alison M. Healey offered the following comment: “I will always be a strong advocate for responsible, legal gun ownership, but when a convicted felon blatantly ignores the restrictions imposed upon him by the law and diverts law enforcement resources into knowingly false investigations, it puts our community at risk. I commend this jury for seeing through the Defendant’s false statements and finding him guilty of these offenses.”

State’s Attorney Healey further expressed thanks to Assistant State’s Attorney Gabriella Vazzana for her efforts in securing these firearm and related convictions and to Harford County Sheriff’s Office Deputies Tabler and Vasquez and Detectives Sergent and Reynolds for their thorough investigation of this case. Further gratitude goes to Harford County Sheriff’s Office Corporal Ghaner and Maryland State Police Firearms Examiner Houser for their expert firearm testimony that was instrumental in securing these convictions.

Whiteford Man Convicted of Firearm Charges in Relation to Drug Trafficking

MEDIA RELEASE
DATE: May 13, 2022
RE: Conviction of Nicholas Hunt

(Bel Air, Maryland) – Albert J. Peisinger, Jr., State’s Attorney for Harford County, has announced the conviction of Nicholas Hunt, 26, of Whiteford, Maryland, for possession of a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking crime and possession of a regulated firearm after having been convicted a disqualifying crime.

On August 29, 2018, the Warrant Apprehension Unit of the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services were investigating the apprehension of a fugitive at 1313 Gold Medal Way in Edgewood Maryland. Upon arrival at that address, investigators encountered Nicholas Hunt, who led investigators into his apartment where the fugitive was staying. Upon entry, investigators discovered marijuana in plain view along with a disassembled firearm. At this point, the Harford County Sheriff’s Office was notified, and a search and seizure warrant was obtained.

Following the execution of the search and seizure warrant on Nicholas Hunt’s apartment, the Harford County Narcotics Task Force recovered approximately three ounces of cocaine and one and a quarter pounds of marijuana along with paraphernalia indicating that the illegal drugs were being weighed and packed for street level distribution. Also recovered was a 1911 Browning semi-automatic handgun near the drugs.

Subsequent to a grand jury indictment on the charges in 2018, the defendant fled the State and was eventually apprehended in Las Vegas, Nevada on September 3, 2021. On May 12, 2022, Nicholas Hunt pled guilty to possession of a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking crime and possession of a regulated firearm after having been convicted a disqualifying crime. The Honorable Kevin J. Mahoney sentenced Mr. Hunt to an aggregate sentence of 35 years of incarceration, suspend all but 10 years to be served without the possibility of parole to the Department of Corrections. Upon completion of those sentences, the defendant was additionally placed on five years of supervised probation.

Mr. Peisinger thanked Assistant State’s Attorney Cristin Treaster who prosecuted this matter and commended the Harford County Narcotics Task Force, the Harford County Sheriff’s Office, the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services and the Maryland State Police Forensic Sciences Division for their teamwork and dedication which resulted in the arrest and conviction of Nicholas Hunt.