Local Basketball Star Gunned Down In PG County, 1 Charged: Police

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, MD — A Largo man is facing charges after police said he fatally shot a local basketball star in Temple Hills over the weekend.

Estep Kyler Jr., 36, was charged with first and second-degree murder in connection with the death of Andrew "Spongebob" Washington, a University of Delaware basketball player who later played in tournaments overseas as well as locally in Washington, D.C., WTTG reported.

According to a Prince George's County police report, Kyler and Washington were involved in an argument shortly after 4 a.m. Saturday near the 2300 block of Iverson Street. Police said the two men were sitting together in a car when Kyler took out a gun and shot Washington during the fight.

Police found Washington inside the car with multiple gunshot wounds, authorities said. He died at the scene, according to police.

Police said Kyler also shot himself during the fight. He was taken into custody at a hospital where he remains for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries, police said.

Authorities said Kyler will be taken to the Department of Corrections when he is released from the hospital.

Washington's friend Mike Rawls told WTTG that Washington had just celebrated his birthday a day before he was shot.

"He was a likable guy, so this here was a total, total shock, especially after you see him on Instagram, celebrating his birthday," Rawls told the station.

Anyone with information about the shooting should contact police at 301-516-2512 or Crime Solvers online at www.pgcrimesolvers.com.