Suspect in Temple Hills July Fourth shooting that killed 6-year-old arrested in Guyana: police

A suspect in the July Fourth shooting in Temple Hills that left a 6-year-old boy dead was arrested by authorities in South America and sent back to the U.S., police said.

TEMPLE HILLS, Md. - A suspect in the July Fourth shooting in Temple Hills that left a 6-year-old boy dead was arrested by authorities in South America and sent back to the U.S., police said.

At a press conference Thursday, Prince George’s County Chief of Police Malik Aziz said the suspect, 33-year-old Rakeem Gilgeorus of Washington, D.C., was located in Guyana and was taken into custody by authorities there in connection with the murder of Ahsan Julian Payton.

Payton was attending a Fourth of July gathering last month in the 4500 block of Akron Street when gunshots rang out and he was struck. He was hospitalized but died two days later.

"July 4th should have been a celebration," Prince George's County Public Safety Deputy Chief Barry Stanton. "To have the loss of six-year-old Ahsan Payton to this type of gun violence is totally not acceptable. It shouldn't be accepted in Prince George's County."

Rakeem Gilgeorus (Prince George’s County Police)

Aziz said Gilgeorus fled by plane to Guyana, where he may have friends or family, before he was identified as a suspect. After his arrest, he was deported to the U.S. and is being detained in Florida while awaiting extradition. He faces several charges including second-degree murder in Payton’s death.

Aziz said two others were injured in the shooting. A man suffered injuries not considered life-threatening, and a woman was treated on the scene for a graze wound.

"The reason we are here today is because the public stepped up and provided information to the department and the department pursued these leads and made one arrest," Prince George's County State's Attorney Aisha Braveboy. "But we know seeking justice in this case is not over."

Suspect in Temple Hills July Fourth shooting that killed 6-year-old arrested in Guyana: police

A suspect in a July Fourth shooting in Temple Hills that left a 6-year-old boy dead was arrested by authorities in South America, police said.

Investigators say at least two gunmen were involved. A second suspect has not yet been identified.

"There were many people who were there. Many people who know things and we're asking them to come forward," Aziz said. "I don't know what else it would take when a young child is senselessly murdered in our community on our streets, having a good time on July 4th. So we know they exist. We have had cooperation from community members. We're asking for more."

Anyone who attended the party or anyone who may have information about the gunmen is asked to contact detectives at 301-516-2512. A reward of up to $25,000 is being offered for information leading to an arrest.