2 Suspects Arrested In Fatal Shooting Of Toddler In Langley Park: Police

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, MD — Police said Friday afternoon that two suspects have been arrested in the shooting death of a toddler in Langley Park around 5:35 p.m. Thursday. The boy and his mother tried to flee a shootout between two groups, but both were struck by bullets.

Jeremy Poou-Caceres, 2, of Chillum was with his mom outside an apartment complex in the 1400 block of Kanawha Street Thursday. She also was shot, but her injuries are not considered life-threatening, authorities said.

The suspects arrested in connection with Jeremy's death were identified as Israel Fuentes Jr., 33, of Lewisdale and Johnny Alejandro Turcios, 28, also of Lewisdale. Both men have been charged with first- and second-degree murder, Prince George's County Police Assistant Chief Vernon Hale III said Friday.

Hale thanked the community for leading detectives to the suspects. But, he said investigators believe two other suspects were in a stolen vehicle with Fuentes and Turcios.

While there has been gang activity in Langley Park in the past, Hale said there have been no shootings reported there in the last 90 days.

Police originally said Jeremy was 3-years-old, but updated his age to 2-years-old on Friday.

A detective working in the area heard gunfire and headed toward the sound. He found the mother and child with gunshot wounds and used his police trauma kit to perform life-saving measures on the boy until the ambulance arrived.

Jeremy was pronounced dead a short time later at Children's National Hospital, according to the Prince George's Police Department. His mother was taken to a Washington, D.C., area hospital, where she remains in stable condition.

“That young baby did nothing to anyone ... did not deserve to die because someone wants to come out here and play with guns. Bullets come down and have real consequences. I can only pray they weren't trying to kill a child. A child is dead, a mother shot. That baby won't get to be a future PG police officer or live his best life,” Prince George's Police Assistant Chief Vernon Hale III said during a news conference Thursday night.

"My thoughts and prayers go out to the family and those around this community who had to witness this. Somebody in this community knows who did this," Hale said. "I'm asking each and every one of you to contact your friends and family. This isn't about snitching, this is about justice for victims."

The police department received multiple reports of people firing weapons in the area. Police said Thursday night during the news conference that it wasn't clear what led to the shooting. Investigators are working to identify a suspect.

A reward of up to $25,000 has been offered for information leading to an arrest and indictment in this case. Anyone with information on this case who would like to speak to a detective can call 301-516-2512.

Read more: 3-Year-Old Boy Fatally Shot, Mother Injured In Langley Park: Police