Authorities in Washington, D.C., announced a third arrest in connection with a July 10 shooting that killed a 10-year-old girl as she got ice cream.
Per The Washington Post, D.C. Police Chief Peter Newsham said they’ve charged Gregory Taylor, 23, of Maryland, with first-degree murder while armed. Taylor is believed to be one of the four masked men who jumped out of a black SUV and indiscriminately fired into a crowd, mortally wounding Makiyah Wilson.
Wilson, who was shot in the heart, reportedly died in her mother’s arms as she repeatedly begged, “Please don’t let my baby die.”
Donnetta Wilson told WRC that her daughter used her last breaths to say, “Mommy, calm down. It’s burning.”
As CrimeOnline previously reported, four adults—including Makiyah’s sister—were also wounded in the shooting. The four other victims survived their injuries.
Court documents alleged Taylor, who went by the nickname “Gizzle,” was the ringleader and that he texted, “Let’s go do what we do” to another member of the Wellington Park Crew.
Qujuan Thomas, 20, and Quentin Michals, 21, were both arrested in August for their suspected role in the shooting. Authorities believe the four men carried out the fatal shooting in retaliation for a 2017 shootout on Stanton Road where Michals and two other men were wounded, according to WTTG.
Police said they’re still working to locate a fourth suspect who they say is part of the Wellington Park Crew. The Washington Post reported that authorities are offering a $45,000 reward for information in this case.
The grieving mother told WRC that she is glad that another man will be brought to justice for Makiyah’s murder but acknowledged that none of it will bring her daughter back.
“They just don’t have no care. They laughin’. It’s like a big joke,” she said of the three suspects.
“I never can get her back. I can never go visit her. I can’t. With them, even though they’re going away for a long time, they’re still breathing. They still can talk to their mom. They still can hug their mom. I can’t ever do that again with Makiyah.”
[Featured image: Makiyah Wilson/Handout]
