On a late summer evening, the life of 18-year-old Joseph Titus Abariko was tragically cut short. The young man from Riverdale, Maryland, was at a party on Bennington Drive in Largo on Friday, August 7, 2015, when violence erupted. Police were called to the scene around 11:45 p.m. for reports of a shooting. Upon arrival, they discovered Abariko outside, suffering from gunshot wounds.
Despite the efforts of first responders, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigators believe that a fight broke out outside the residence where the party was being held, and it is suspected that the shooting was connected to this altercation. Abariko, a student at Parkdale High School, was remembered by a classmate as a joyful person who loved to make people laugh and had a passion for playing the drums and making go-go beats.
In the days following the shooting, the Prince George's County Police Department launched a homicide investigation. Detectives canvassed the neighborhood, seeking information about the incident. They stated that they did not believe the shooting was a random act and were working to determine a motive and identify any suspects. A reward of up to $25,000 was offered for information leading to an arrest and indictment in the case. Online news reports from the time of the incident did not contain information regarding any arrests or the identification of any suspects in connection with the death of Joseph Titus Abariko.
