A summer evening at the Hollywood Volunteer Fire Department carnival in Hollywood, Maryland, turned tragic on July 15, 2022, when 16-year-old Syncere Kovey Smith was fatally shot. The male teenager was in the parking lot of the annual community event when several gunshots were fired at approximately 10:57 p.m. First responders, who were already at the carnival, found Syncere with multiple gunshot wounds. He was rushed to MedStar St. Mary's Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.
Another young man was also struck by a bullet in the leg during the incident and was transported to a trauma center.
The investigation into the shooting quickly led police to two suspects. Witnesses at the scene provided a description of the shooter, and within minutes, 19-year-old Devron Ny'Quez Murray was located at a nearby gas station. A 9mm handgun was also recovered in the vicinity. The subsequent investigation determined that the shooting was not a random act of violence but stemmed from an ongoing dispute between two rival youth groups. This led to the identification of a second individual, Thomas Moreland, who was also involved in the fatal encounter.
Both Devron Ny'Quez Murray and Thomas Moreland were arrested and faced multiple charges, including first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder. Following their trials, both men were convicted for their roles in the death of Syncere Smith. Murray was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole, with an additional five years. Moreland also received a life sentence for his involvement in the deadly shooting.
Syncere Kovey Smith was a student at Great Mills High School, where he was an athlete who played football and ran track. He was also a passionate basketball player, with hopes of earning a college scholarship for the sport. Remembered for his bright and beautiful personality, he was known for his love of joking and laughing, and a smile that could light up a room. His untimely death was a profound loss to his family, friends, and the wider community.
