Bond Denied For 2 Teens Arrested In Toddler's Fatal Shooting: PGPD

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, MD — Two teenagers have been charged in connection to the shooting death of 2-year-old Jeremy Poou-Caceres of Chillum while his mom pushed him in a stroller near Bedford Station Apartments in the 1400 block of Kanawha Street in Langley Park Feb. 8.

A 15-year-old boy from Takoma Park and a 16-year-old boy from Hyattsville are being charged as adults with first- and second-degree murder in the Feb. 8 fatal shooting of Jeremy while he and his 17-year-old mom were walking in the Langley Park neighborhood. Police say they both were struck by stray bullets.

A judge ordered both teens to be held without bond during their first court appearance Tuesday. Two men, 28-year-old Johnny Alejandro Turcios and 33-year-old Israel Fuentes Jr., are being held without bond on murder charges in connection to Jeremy's death, as well.

In Prince George’s County District Court, lawyers for the teens argued they should be moved to juvenile detention. Judge Bryon Bereano denied that request, ordering the boys to remain in the adult detention center.

“Generally, we support transferring juveniles to a juvenile facility, even if they are charged with adult offenses,” Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Aisha Braveboy said during a news conference following the court hearing. “However, in certain cases, where we are concerned about, let’s say gang affiliation and individuals who may be known to each other being housed in the same facility, our position really reflects our goal of public safety for everyone, including those who are detained."

When asked if she was concerned whether there was gang affiliation in this case, Braveboy responded, “That is possible; yes, it’s possible.”

According to authorities, the teenagers were part of a group that exchanged gunfire with at least one other group that included Turcios and Fuentes Jr.

Braveboy said Tuesday the investigation remains open and there may be additional arrests. Police have asked for help identifying two other persons of interest in the case after the pair was seen on surveillance footage getting out of a 2003 gold Ford Explorer and walking into a convenience store in the 9200 block of New Hampshire Avenue in Silver Spring the night before the shooting.

Police said the Ford Explorer they arrived in was carjacked earlier that morning in the 1500 block of Kanawha Street in Langley Park and was the same SUV the suspects fled in after the toddler’s murder. The Ford Explorer has since been recovered, according to police.

A GoFundMe has been created to help with the funeral expenses for Jeremy. His mom Rose Carceras spoke previously with FOX 5 and shared that Jeremy was the reason why she kept moving forward in life.

"It’s not easy. Not only for me but for my family because Jeremy was not only my son, but he was also most of, like, with my two aunts, they were like the mother of my son too. They always took care of him and it was hard for me because he was the person I was holding onto to keep going with my life and now I don’t have him," Caceres told FOX 5.

"Jeremy was a child so full of joy and love. He was always so well behaved, and he loved watching Cocomelon. We could call his name for hours and he wouldn’t answer; it would be like he was in his own world but once he heard the bees buzzing he would come running. We all loved Jeremy and it’s so hard to accept that our Jeremy who just turned two years old Jan. 12 was murdered Feb. 8. A boy who was just starting to live his life loses it to gang violence. I know it’s a lot to ask but please anything you can give would be greatly appreciated. Rest in peace, Jeremy," wrote Jacobo Saravia who organized the GoFundMe.

Related:

• 2 Suspects Arrested In Toddler's Death In Langley Park: Police
• 2 More Suspects Charged In Toddler's Shooting Death: PG County Police
• 2 Men Sought In Toddler's Fatal Shooting: PG County Police
• 3-Year-Old Boy Fatally Shot, Mother Injured In Langley Park: Police
• GoFundMe Set Up For Fatally Shot 2-Year-Old 'Full Of Joy And Love'
• Bond Denied For Suspects Arrested In Toddler's Fatal Shooting: PGPD