$25K Reward for Robbers Who Fatally Beat Victim

A $25,000 reward has now been offered for leads in the June death of a Temple Hills man who died from blunt force trauma suffered during a robbery.

Prince George’s County Police say the death of Maurice Antoin Smith, 34, of Saint Clair Drive in Temple Hills, was not a random act.

Officers were called to the 2900 block of Saint Clair Drive about 7 p.m. June 9 on a report of a shooting. Smith was found on the ground unconscious; he had not been shot. He was later pronounced dead at an area hospital.

The Washington, D.C., Medical Examiner’s office on Oct. 28 ruled the death a homicide. Experts said the cause of death was sudden cardiac death associated with an assault with blunt-force injuries, which complicated Smith’s asthma.

Detectives say the attack on Smith may have stemmed from an attempted robbery as he walked from his home to a parking lot, where he was confronted by three suspects. One of the suspects began hitting Smith, then pulled out a gun. As Smith and the suspect struggled over the gun, a single shot was fired.

No one was hit by the gunshot; Smith then collapsed and the suspects fled the area.

Anyone with information about the suspects is asked to call the Prince George’s County Police Department’s Homicide Unit at 301-772-4925.

Callers wishing to remain anonymous may call Crimes Solvers at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477), text “PGPD plus your message” to CRIMES (274637) or go to www.pgcrimesolvers.com and submit a tip online.