(Dec. 22, 2016) Police were called to the American Legion parking lot on Perryhawkin Road in Princess Anne Saturday after receiving a 911 call at approximately 1:30 a.m. and found Tawanda Blake, 26, of Pocomoke City, lying on the ground.
She was taken to Peninsula Regional Medical Center, and was pronounced dead at 2 a.m.
According to a Maryland State Police press release, the preliminary investigation indicated the victim was one of a number of people in the parking lot when several shots were fired into the crowd. Police believe Blake was the only one struck by the gunfire, but police weren’t ready to conclude she was the intended target.
Later on Saturday, police arrested Jesse L. Copes, 26, of Princess Anne and charged him with first-degree murder, second-degree murder, manslaughter, first- and second-degree assault, reckless endangerment, use of a firearm in commission of a felony and being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm.
He is being held in the Somerset County detention center without bond.
Police said Copes reportedly engaged in an altercation with several people that eventually led to a scuffle. Witnesses indicated Copes pulled out a handgun and began firing.
Police said an autopsy at the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Baltimore confirmed the cause of death was a gunshot wound and her manner of death was homicide.
State police investigators reportedly saw Copes leaving his apartment and stopped him as he drove away. He was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Princess Anne Barrack for questioning. A search warrant executed on his apartment led to the recovery of undisclosed evidence, but a handgun was not among the recovered items.
Anyone with information about this shooting is asked to contact Maryland State Police at 443-260-3700. Callers may remain confidential.
She was taken to Peninsula Regional Medical Center, and was pronounced dead at 2 a.m.
According to a Maryland State Police press release, the preliminary investigation indicated the victim was one of a number of people in the parking lot when several shots were fired into the crowd. Police believe Blake was the only one struck by the gunfire, but police weren’t ready to conclude she was the intended target.
Later on Saturday, police arrested Jesse L. Copes, 26, of Princess Anne and charged him with first-degree murder, second-degree murder, manslaughter, first- and second-degree assault, reckless endangerment, use of a firearm in commission of a felony and being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm.
He is being held in the Somerset County detention center without bond.
Police said Copes reportedly engaged in an altercation with several people that eventually led to a scuffle. Witnesses indicated Copes pulled out a handgun and began firing.
Police said an autopsy at the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Baltimore confirmed the cause of death was a gunshot wound and her manner of death was homicide.
State police investigators reportedly saw Copes leaving his apartment and stopped him as he drove away. He was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Princess Anne Barrack for questioning. A search warrant executed on his apartment led to the recovery of undisclosed evidence, but a handgun was not among the recovered items.
Anyone with information about this shooting is asked to contact Maryland State Police at 443-260-3700. Callers may remain confidential.