LANGLEY PARK, Md. — A sixth person is in custody in connection to the shooting death of a 2-year-old boy in Langley Park last month.
Editor's Note: The video above aired on Feb. 26, 2024.
Prince George's County Police announced the sixth arrest on Wednesday; he is a 17-year-old boy from Beltsville. The teenager's identity has not been disclosed by police because he is a minor, however, he has been charged as an adult.
Two-year-old Jeremy Poou-Caceres and his mother were caught in the crossfire of a shooting on Feb. 8. Jeremy's mother was hospitalized with injuries that weren't life-threatening, but Jeremy was killed.
Police say the 17-year-old is charged with first-degree murder and related charges. He is in the custody of the Prince George's County Department of Corrections without bond. Investigators have not detailed his suspected involvement in the shooting.
This makes the sixth arrest and the third teenager charged as an adult for the deadly shooting.
According to charging documents obtained by WUSA9, an officer had been surveilling the suspects' vehicle before the shooting because it had been reported as being carjacked. The vehicle pulled into a parking area and apparently out of sight of the officer. Shortly after that, according to the documents, the officer heard gunshots and responded to the scene where he located Jeremy and his mother.
Jeremy's death sent shockwaves through the Prince George’s County Police Department, and less than 24 hours later, they had two men in custody. Officials said their officers did not go home until they made those arrests.
Those two suspects are 33-year-old Israel Fuentas, Jr., and 28-year-old Johnny Alejandro Turcios.
Later, police put out images of two young men captured on surveillance video and said they were persons of interest in the case. It wasn't clear on Wednesday if the sixth person arrested was one of the two young men seen in the surveillance videos. They were never labeled as suspects – just as persons of interest.
On Feb. 15, police announced the arrests of two boys — a 15-year-old from Takoma Park and a 16-year-old from Hyattsville. The police department said they were going to charge both boys as adults. Those boys were not the two seen in the surveillance video.
The teens were in the custody of the Department of Corrections and are facing charges of first- and second-degree murder, and related charges.
Police say their investigation has shown that Fuentes and Turcios were in a group who exchanged gunfire with a second group near where Jeremy and his mother were walking on Feb. 8. The 15- and 16-year-old were a part of the second group involved in that shooting, according to police.
Charging documents obtained last month show that while investigators interviewed Granados-Trejo, they say he stated that he was in the back seat of a vehicle with Fuentas Jr. and Turcios before the shooting. He also told investigators that he saw Fuentas Jr. firing a gun during the altercation that led to Jeremy's death. Afterward, documents show he got back in the vehicle with the others and fled the scene.
Investigators say that Granados-Trejo did not call police at any time to report what happened. He's facing murder charges for Jeremy's death.
A Langley Park resident who asked to only be identified by his first name, Eric, told WUSA9 that the tragedy has left a lasting effect on the community. "They are still scared," he said.
Eric brought his concerns directly to his Council member, Wanika Fisher during a public safety event in Hyattsville. "It's gotten a lot worse. Vandalism, crime, carjackings, a lot worse," Eric said.
Fisher says that the tragedy has brought some positivity which is the engagement of the immigrant community that makes up Langley Park. She says residents have voiced some changes they would like to see following the shooting. "Some of the suggestions have been wanting to see more robust community policing," Fisher added.
Among the other recommendations voiced by residents, is the installation of surveillance camera systems.
Last year, Prince George's County Council approved a bill that requires apartments with more than 100 units to install 24-hour cameras around buildings.
"That is something that we definitely need to look into. There was already legislation in the county last year around cameras at buildings but following on the implementation and the reality of that," Fisher said.
The bill sponsored by Council Vice Chair Wala Blegay requires properties to install and maintain security cameras. Landlords are required to keep the footage for 30 days.
The legislation also offers a rebate of $5,000 to help landlords with the cost of installing the security systems.
Detectives are working to identify and arrest everyone involved in the deadly shooting. A $25,000 reward is available for information leading to the arrest and indictment of the suspects.
Anyone with information on the identities of the two persons of interest or has information on this case who would like to speak to a Homicide Unit detective may call (301) 516-2512.
Anyone with information can contact Crime Solvers online at www.pgcrimesolvers.com. You can remain anonymous and refer to case number 24-0008189.