Police charge teen in killing
18-year-old arrested in homicide at model home in Hanover
Before Steve Bernard Wilson was shot and killed in the Hanover model home where he was working Wednesday evening, he needed help.
In the background of a 911 call, county police say in charging documents filed in Anne Arundel County District Court, a voice can be heard: “Where is the money?” “Who are you talking to?”
Police said Friday they’ve charged a Jessup man with first-degree murder in the death of Wilson, 33, of Annapolis, who was working for Ryan Homes at the home when he was fatally shot.
Dillon Nicholas Augustyniak, 18, was charged with first-degree murder, armed robbery and other offenses.
In charging documents, police allege that Augustyniak stole Wilson’s cellphone and laptop. Investigators believe he also tried to sell the gun allegedly used in the killing.
In a news conference Friday, Anne Arundel Police Chief Timothy Altomare characterized the death as a robbery gone wrong.
“I think impulse met opportunity in this instance,” Altomare said.
“While I won’t say that real estate agents shouldn’t be vigilant and concerned ... for their safety, I think we have no indication that there is a particular threat to the industry at this time,” he said.
Nevertheless, the killing shook members ARREST ,
ARREST , of the real estate profession.
Michele Cordle, president of Annapolisbased Anne Arundel County Association of Realtors, said individual builders have their own safety precautions — but safety has been a concern in the industry for some time.
“Any time that you’re in a situation where you’re in a home and you have a big sign outside that says ‘open house,’ you’re letting people in the door and they have not been vetted,” she said.
Officials from Ryan Homes have not commented on Wilson’s death.
Police were first alerted to the scene when someone called 911 around 5 p.m. Wednesday from 7552 Newmanstown Dr. in Hanover, where Wilson was working as a sales representative. There was no voice on the line, police wrote, but someone “was breathing heavily and sounded to be in distress.”
Charging documents state that as the dispatcher attempted to get information, another voice was heard in the background demanding money.
When police arrived at the scene, they found Wilson unresponsive and, after medics attempted to render aid, pronounced him dead at the scene.
Police wrote in charging documents that video surveillance showed a suspect “armed with a long gun.”
In the documents, police said Augustyniak was established as a suspect through the video and witnesses.
Police said they also learned that he had given Wilson’s phone to someone and was attempting to sell a firearm “the same caliber that was used to commit the homicide.”
Spokeswoman Sgt. Jackie Davis said Augustyniak lived within walking distance of the Ryan Homes development where Wilson was working. Police searched his residence Thursday, charging documents state, and found a firearm “consistent with the type of firearm used in the homicide.”
Altomare said a number of witnesses were instrumental in developing Augustyniak as a suspect.
“Wewould not have gotten this done in 31 hours without [citizens],” Altomare said.
Augustyniak is being held without bail prior to a bail review hearing Monday. No attorney for him was listed in court records.
In a statement, Wilson’s brother-in-law, Leland Sampson, said the family was made aware of the arrest. He thanked the community for its support during the investigation.
“We are incredibly grateful for the efforts of investigators who have worked non-stop to find the person who killed Steven Wilson,” Sampson wrote in an email.
He also pointed to a GoFundMe page made in Wilson’s memory to assist his two children.