Maryland

1 Arrested, 1 Suspect Sought in Killing of 10-Year-Old Makiyah Wilson, DC Police Say

Makiyah Wilson, 10, was killed after four men jumped out of a car in Northeast D.C. and began shooting into a crowd

One man is behind bars and another is wanted in the shooting death of 10-year-old Makiyah Wilson, D.C. police say.

Qujuan Thomas, 20, from Southeast D.C., was arrested Saturday and charged with first-degree murder while armed, D.C. Police Chief Peter Newsham said at a press conference.

Police are still searching for Quentin Michals, 21, also from Southeast. Newsham asked that anyone who sees Michals immediately contact police. Michals should be considered armed and dangerous, Newsham said.

Michals also faces the charge of first-degree murder while armed.

"The killer's still out. I can't sleep, you know. I think about it every day, you know, it will never be okay," Wilson's mother, Donnetta Wilson, told News4.

But she said the latest developments in the police investigation have brought her some comfort and she hopes Michals will turn himself in to authorities.

Wilson was only steps from her Northeast Washington home on July 16 when five men jumped out of a car and opened fire into a crowd, police said.

Police are still looking for information on the three other men and ask anyone with information to contact police. There's a reward of up to $45,000 for information in the case.

Newsham would not comment on the suspects' motive. 

Four other people, including Wilson's 18-year-old sister, were shot and wounded.

"When she actually passed and took her last breath, she was laying right there in front of her doorway," Donnetta Wilson said in a previous interview.

Police said more than 60 shots were fired before the men got back in the car and sped off. Police believe a fifth suspect stayed inside the Infiniti sedan.

The car, which Newsham says was stolen, was found in Oxon Hill, Maryland, days after the shooting. An exact location was not released.

A woman who was the victim of a carjacking told News4 that her vehicle was used in the shooting.

Bowser said Wilson's death was devastating. 

"She should have returned to school this week," Bowser said. "We won’t be satisfied until we find justice in her murder."

At Wilson's funeral, faith leaders urged the community to help police find the gunmen.

"This is a outright violation, and you should demand that whoever those cowards are, they can’t sleep, they can’t eat," minister Rahim Jenkins said at Wilson's funeral.

"Now is the time to stand up and man up. There’s a reckoning that has to take place," Jenkins said.

Wilson's uncle Mike D'Angelo has begun a walk and bike trip from D.C. to Philadelphia, where a brother of his was recently killed.

"We're all gonna stand, we're all gonna fight, and we gotta stick together," he said.

Wilson had recently completed fourth grade and was enjoying her summer break, Wilson's grandmother, Pandora Wilson, said.

"Makiyah, she was special," Pandora Wilson said. "She loved football. She loved all kinds of sports."

Wilson was the youngest of four siblings and had recently celebrated her 10th birthday.

"It's so hard to put it in words because it don't feel real, you know?" Pandora Wilson said. "It's so senseless."

Police camera footage shows the moments the masked gunmen pulled up to the courtyard and opened fire while families were outside. 

"At 8 o'clock at night, this is a full courtyard. It's full of children, it's full of families," said Wilson's cousin, Raven Hall.

The family has pleaded for the suspects to come forward.

"God's gonna see that they get their justice," Pandora Wilson said. "They are gonna have to answer for it, whether it's down here or up there."

Anyone with information is asked to call 202-727-9099. Those wishing to remain anonymous may text a message to 50411.

Maikiyah's mother initially told News4 on Saturday that two arrests were made.

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