Boyfriend charged with murder in connection to fatal shooting of girlfriend in Fort Washington

UPPER MARLBORO, Md. (FOX 5 DC) - A 19-year-old man is behind bars after police say he shot and killed his 18-year-old girlfriend inside a Fort Washington home in April.

According to an investigation, Prince George's County patrol officers responded to a home in the 13000 block of Buchanan Drive at around 10:30 p.m. on April 7 where they found Saniyah Floyd, of Capitol Heights, suffering from a single gunshot wound. Police say Floyd was pronounced dead at the scene.

Authorities say responding officers and detectives were initially told by witnesses at the scene that Floyd had accidentally shot herself. An autopsy later revealed that Floyd's wound "could not have been self-inflicted." A medical examiner ruled her death a homicide.

An investigation revealed Floyd's boyfriend, Jamal Speaks, of Palmer Park, had illegally purchased the firearm used in connection to Floyd's death and "had been playing with the gun throughout the day." Authorities say Speaks fired the weapon one time on the night of April 7, striking Floyd.

Speaks then, according to authorities, placed the weapon in Floyd's hand to "make it appear as if she had shot herself."

Speaks later admitted his involvement in the shooting, authorities say.

Speaks has been charged with first-degree murder and second-degree murder. He is also facing assault and weapons charges. He is currently being held without bond.