In the quiet evening of March 12, 2019, the life of 27-year-old Salina Rivera was tragically cut short in Hyattsville, Maryland. Rivera, a female known in her community as the DJ 'Salamander,' was discovered in a walkway on Belcrest Road around 7:55 p.m., having sustained a fatal gunshot wound. Emergency responders were called to the scene following reports of gunshots, but Rivera was pronounced dead shortly after 8 p.m.
The investigation into Rivera's death, led by the Prince George's
County Police Department's Homicide Unit, quickly determined that the incident was not a random act of violence. Within days, the investigation led to the arrest of 21-year-old Alexander Maskiewicz of Aberdeen. He was taken into custody and charged with first-degree murder in connection with Rivera's death. Investigators stated their belief that Rivera was shot during an attempted robbery that occurred during a drug transaction.
Further developments in the case came with the arrest of a second suspect, 26-year-old Shelton Holt III of Reisterstown. Holt was also charged with first-degree murder and other related charges for his involvement in the fatal shooting. Both Maskiewicz and Holt were held in custody as the legal process against them began. The community mourned the loss of Rivera, who was remembered as a beloved local DJ with a promising future. A fundraising campaign was initiated by her family to help with funeral expenses, and a burial service was planned in her home state of New York.
