In the early morning hours of December 30, 2007, a gathering meant to celebrate a life tragically ended with the loss of another. Anthony Ferguson Fontane, a 39-year-old male, was attending a posthumous birthday party for a young man from his neighborhood at the Knights of Columbus hall in Fort Washington, Maryland. Fontane, who had a reputation for being generous and was deeply involved in his 13-year-old son's life, was known to organize community events to honor those lost to violence.
The fatal incident began inside the hall with a misunderstanding. Fontane pointed at a young woman he recognized from his old neighborhood in Southwest Washington. A man standing with her, later identified as 19-year-old Donte Guzman, believed Fontane was pointing at him and took offense. This led to a physical altercation, with several people reportedly attacking Fontane. Following the initial confrontation, Fontane walked out to the parking lot where his truck was parked.
Guzman followed Fontane outside, and after a brief exchange of words, he fatally shot him. The events unfolded in the presence of two off-duty Prince George's County police officers who were working as security for the party. The officers pursued Guzman on foot and, when he failed to stop, they fired, wounding him in the leg.
Donte Guzman was taken to a local hospital for treatment of his injuries and was subsequently charged with first-degree murder in the death of Anthony Fontane. Fontane's death was a stark contrast to the life he had been leading. After serving time in prison for cocaine distribution in his twenties, he had turned his life around, working as a contractor and a barber to support himself and his son. His efforts to steer clear of violent situations were tragically undone by the very kind of senseless violence he had worked to commemorate against.
