UPPER MARLBORO, Md. — Three people have been arrested in the shooting of two Largo High School graduates in 2016.
Allyssa Banks was 18 and DeSean Moore was 20 in October 2016, when they were shot in Upper Marlboro while trying to parallel-park a car. Police are saying the suspects were gang members and that the two were not targeted. Banks was killed; Moore survived.
Josue Vasques, whose age was unavailable, is being called the triggerman and has been charged with first-degree murder. Daniel Butler, 23, and Thomas Jenkins, 20, are charged with second-degree murder. All three are being held without bond.
After more than a year without an arrest, “We’re really satisfied to be able to move forward to get justice,” said Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Angela Alsobrooks.
Banks was an honor roll student and class president at Largo High School. She and Moore were in their first year in college; they were studying to become emergency medical technicians.
“You’re talking about someone who sought to join the ranks of public safety, to provide aid and comfort, to rush to the aid of others in need,” Prince George’s County Police Chief Hank Stawinski said. “These are completely innocent victims.”
Both Stawinski and Alsobrooks expressed outrage at the pointless violence and called the suspects “evil.”
Lydia Banks called the death of her daughter a “heinous crime” and expressed appreciation to county officials and the Largo High community.
Asked how Moore is doing, Alsobrooks said, “Emotionally, I don’t know how you become well after something like this, but physically — he recovered.”
