Teen killed in Waldorf shooting
Suspect arrested, charged with murder
Police say a Waldorf teen was fatally shot Wednesday night in the parking lot behind the St. Charles Towne Center movie theater, and a suspect was arrested short- ly after.
Reuel Hicks, 18, was shot once in his upper body and flown to a hospital in critical condition, according authorities. He later died from his injuries.
Charged with first-degree murder, Deavan Quindel Jefferson, 19, of Baltimore remains in police custody.
Around 8 p.m. on Wednesday, deputies of the Charles County Sheriff’s Office responded to the 11000 block of Mall Circle Drive for a reported shooting, according to police. Upon arrival, they found Hicks suffering from a gunshot wound. Preliminary investigation revealed that Hicks and the suspect appeared to be making a drug transaction, a small amount of marijuana,
ly pulled out a gun and shot Hicks for unknown reasons, based on recovered evidence and witnesses. Jefferson was apprehended soon after as officers searched the area.
This is the sixth homicide this year in Charles County.
Hicks, a senior at Westlake High School, will be dearly missed by his fellow students and staff, many who heard about the news this morning or late last night, school officials say.
“Everyone is sad. West- lake is a family community and we’re all very supportive of each other, and you can definitely feel the loss today,” said Dana Fenwick, an administrative assistant at Westlake High School. “Everybody is in shock.”
Hicks, she said, was a well-liked student with a bright future who worked two jobs outside of school, and was looking forward to starting an apprenticeship after graduating.
“I’ve worked with Reuel. I’ve known him for the last four years,” Fenwick continued. “He was funny, everyone knew his smile. He was always around, very popular, well-liked by all students and staff. Everybody knew Reuel.”