On a cold January morning in 2022, the life of 37-year-old Mary Anne Smoot, a Black female from Manassas, Virginia, was tragically cut short. The events that led to her death began to unfold on January 17th, when she accompanied a family member to the Raven Crest Apartments on Cobden Court. The purpose of their visit was to meet with 18-year-old Maquan Omari McCray, with whom Smoot's family member had a previous relationship.
Inside one of the apartments, a verbal altercation erupted between Smoot and McCray. The argument quickly escalated, and McCray allegedly brandished a firearm, shooting Smoot multiple times. In the chaotic moments that followed, McCray fled the scene on foot, leaving behind a scene of violence. Police were called to the apartment at approximately 10:22 a.m. Upon their arrival, they discovered the gravely wounded Smoot and immediately began performing CPR. Despite their efforts and the subsequent arrival of rescue personnel, she was pronounced dead at the scene. Fortunately, no one else in the apartment was physically harmed.
In the immediate aftermath of the shooting, Prince William County police launched an extensive search for McCray. A police K-9 unit and a Fairfax County police helicopter were deployed to scour the area, but the suspect managed to evade capture. Authorities swiftly identified McCray as the sole suspect and obtained warrants for his arrest on charges of murder and the use of a firearm in the commission of a felony. They released his description to the public, seeking any information on his whereabouts.
The search for Maquan Omari McCray came to an end three days later, on January 20, 2022. He turned himself in to authorities at the Prince William-Manassas Regional Adult Detention Center. McCray was subsequently arrested and held without bond. His court date was scheduled for April 5, 2022. Information regarding the outcome of his trial, any potential plea agreements, or a conviction in the death of Mary Anne Smoot is not publicly available.
