Stepfather Fatally Shoots 11-Year-Old Girl, Himself: Prince George's Police

LANDOVER, MD — An 11-year-old girl has been fatally shot by her stepfather, police say, who then turned the gun on himself. A woman also was shot in their Landover home Feb. 28, but remains in critical condition.

Prince George's Police were called to the Landover home located in the 6900 block of Stansbury Lane around 9:30 p.m. Feb. 28 for a report of a shooting. They found 38-year-old Curtis Lynch and 11-year-old Mailyn Turkes of Landover dead. Police confirmed that Lynch was Mailyn's stepfather. A woman believed to be Mailyn's mother and Lynch's wife was found in critical but stable condition and taken to a hospital for treatment, police said.

“All of us are heartbroken,” Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks said at a Thursday afternoon news conference, expressing “outrage and sadness” at the girl’s death.

“Mailyn did not deserve this,” Prince George’s County Police Chief Malik Aziz said, adding, “our 10-year-old future bright star should be here with us now.”

Aziz told reporters at the news conference that the Prince George’s County Sheriff’s Office had responded to a call at the home a few weeks ago, but did not provide any details about that call. He also said Lynch was arrested in Washington, D.C., a few weeks ago on a weapons charge, but he did not have further details.

Lynch was arrested on Feb. 13 after he reportedly pulled a gun on a group of people in Southeast D.C., according to court documents. Lynch was initially ordered held without bond but was released from custody on Feb. 16 following a preliminary hearing, WTOP reported.

The county executive said Mailyn's death is part of a pattern of growing domestic violence.

"Out of 11 killings in the county so far this year, six have involved domestic- or family-related violence," Alsobrooks said. “In too many instances, we are seeing the death of our children in ways that really are heartbreaking and have to be stopped."

A preliminary investigation indicates that Lynch shot both victims before killing himself. If anyone has information relevant to this investigation and would like to speak to a detective, they are asked to call 301-516-2512.

Resources are available through the Prince George’s County Justice Center and the Community Advocates for Family and Youth, officials said. People faced with mental health challenges can seek help by calling 988.