On a late summer afternoon, a dispute between a group of young people in Suitland, Maryland, turned deadly, claiming the life of 17-year-old TerNijah Ryals. The incident unfolded on Sunday, August 28, 2022, at approximately 1:50 p.m. in the 3300 block of Curtis Drive. When Prince George's County police officers arrived at the scene, they discovered Ryals outside with a gunshot wound.
She was rushed to a nearby hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries a short time later.
The preliminary investigation suggested that the shooting was not a random act of violence but rather the tragic culmination of an ongoing conflict. Authorities reported that Ryals and the individual who shot her were part of a group involved in a dispute. During a confrontation that Sunday, the disagreement escalated, and a single shot was fired, fatally wounding the teenage girl.
In the days following the shooting, police identified a 17-year-old male as the suspected shooter. He was taken into custody and charged as an adult with manslaughter for his role in TerNijah Ryals's death. Following his arrest, the teenage suspect was held in the custody of the Department of Corrections. The case was referred to the Prince George's County court system for further legal proceedings. Information regarding a trial, conviction, or the specific identity of the suspect has not been publicly disclosed.
