GAMBRILLS, MD — A Middle River man who fatally shot a McDonald's worker through the drive-thru window in Gambrills was sentenced Wednesday to life in prison plus 20 years.
The sentencing comes after Ja'Quan Dontremique Green, 25, was found guilty in January of first-degree murder and using a firearm in a violent crime.
The fatal shooting took place May 13, 2022, when Anne Arundel County Police were called at 4:45 a.m. to the McDonald's restaurant at 1130 Crain Highway South.
At the scene, officers found 23-year-old Britrain Gray, of Odenton, suffering from a fatal gunshot wound while inside the eatery's cash booth area. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
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State's Attorney Anne Colt Leitess said in a release that Gray had been "gunned down while he was building Happy Meal boxes for kids."
"This senseless violence stole a young man's life while he was working the overnight shift at the drive-through window," Leitess said. "Though nothing can undo this tragedy, I hope this sentence brings some measure of peace and closure to Britrain's family."
The Baltimore County man was tied to the shooting through surveillance video, shell casings, social media posts and motor vehicle records.
Investigators said the gunman was seen in surveillance footage pulling up to the exterior of the McDonald's in a black sedan with no tag and blacked-out windows. The same individual is later seen parking the vehicle before walking to the drive-thru window and firing three bullets from a 9-millimeter handgun, prosecutors said.
An analysis by police determined Green's clothing and car both matched what the suspect was seen wearing and driving. Officials said Green's car, a black 2001 Cadillac Catera, is considered a "rare vehicle." Clothing that matched the suspect was also retrieved from Green's bedroom after a search warrant was served.
It wasn't until Green's arrest on July 7, 2022, on an unrelated offense in Prince George's County that officials found a gun in his possession that matched the firearm tied to Gray's murder.
Green maintained his innocence during the trial and the sentencing, The Banner reported, adding that he could be released as his sentence did not bar a chance for parole.
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