Man Sentenced After Fatal Shooting Following Argument: Prosecutor

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — A 31-year-old man has been sentenced in connection to a fatal shooting that happened after his friends were involved in a argument with another man.

On May 1, 2020, around 12:15 a.m., Howard County Police were called to the intersection of Governor Warfield Parkway and Twin Rivers Road for a report of a fight among several people with shots fired. Police found Anthony Tayvon McNeil, 24, from Baltimore, with multiple gunshot wounds in a nearby parking lot in the 10000 block of Nightmist Court. McNeil was taken to Howard County General Hospital where he later died, according to police.

Police believe the shooting stemmed from an argument that happened earlier in the evening between acquaintances of Jerome Tyrell Thomas, 31, and McNeil. Detectives collected surveillance footage in the area and developed Thomas as a suspect. Thomas fled to North Carolina but was eventually taken into custody at a motel in Annapolis May 15, 2020.

“The loss of Anthony McNeil’s life was tragic and unnecessary. The defendant, Jerome Thomas, had a prior criminal record and did not learn from his past mistakes. Instead, he chose to commit one of the worst crimes a person can commit upon another by violently taking the life of McNeil,” said State’s Attorney Rich Gibson. “We agree with the judge’s sentence today and hope it will bring some measure of closure for the victim’s family.”

Thomas has been sentenced to life in prison without parole for first-degree murder plus an additional 10 years for firearm-related charges (use of a handgun during the commission of a crime of violence and illegal possession of a firearm).

In a separate case, Thomas also was sentenced to six months consecutive for an assault on a correctional officer while being held in jail pending this case.