In the early hours of a Sunday morning, the community of Salisbury, Maryland, was irrevocably altered by an act of violence that claimed the life of 16-year-old JaSiah Sincer Basnight-Johnson. A Black/African American male, JaSiah was a sophomore at Parkside High School, his life brimming with the promise of youth. On April 16, 2023, shortly after midnight, the sound of gunfire shattered the peace in the 300 block of East Carroll Street, near Buena Vista Avenue.
When officers from the Salisbury Police Department arrived at the scene, they discovered a grim tableau: two individuals suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.
JaSiah, grievously wounded, was rushed to TidalHealth Peninsula Regional Medical Center. Despite the urgent efforts to save him, he was pronounced dead. The second victim, identified as 22-year-old Jamere Capri Mayne, was also transported to the same hospital for treatment of his injuries. The gravity of the incident prompted the Maryland State Police Homicide Unit to take the lead in the ensuing investigation, with assistance from the State Police Criminal Enforcement Division and Salisbury Police detectives. Crime scene technicians meticulously processed the area, collecting evidence that would be crucial in the pursuit of justice.
For nearly three months, the investigation unfolded, culminating in a significant breakthrough on July 6, 2023. In Baltimore City, Maryland State Police arrested a suspect in connection with the fatal shooting. The individual taken into custody was a 16-year-old male from Salisbury. Due to his age, his name was not publicly released. The arrest brought a measure of progress to a case that had deeply affected the community.
The teenage suspect faces a litany of serious charges, including first-degree murder, second-degree murder, and attempted murder, among other related offenses. Following his arrest, he was processed at the Maryland State Police Glen Burnie Barrack before being transferred to the Wicomico County Detention Center. He is currently being held without bail, awaiting an initial appearance in Circuit Court. As the legal process moves forward, authorities continue to encourage anyone with information about the shooting to come forward.
