A Maryland funeral director, Wilson Chavis, 50, was convicted of second-degree murder for shooting and killing a pallbearer at a burial service for a 10-year-old girl who had been fatally shot. He was also found guilty of using a handgun in the commission of a violent crime and reckless endangerment, according to the Prince George’s County State’s Attorney’s Office.

State’s Attorney Aisha Braveboy condemned the violence, calling it “horrific” that such an act occurred in a sacred place like a cemetery.

The shooting took place on June 6, 2023, at Washington National Cemetery in Suitland. Chavis’ funeral home, Compassion and Serenity, was conducting the service for 10-year-old Arianna Davis, who had been struck by a stray bullet on Mother’s Day while riding in a car with her family in Washington, D.C.

At the cemetery, Chavis became involved in a dispute with individuals from another funeral home with whom he had an ongoing business rivalry. As funeral attendees confronted him about his behavior, Chavis drew a firearm and opened fire. Thirty-year-old pallbearer Ronald Banks was killed, and another individual was grazed by a bullet.

According to CBS News, Wilson Chavis fled the scene but was later apprehended during a traffic stop. The violence interrupted the burial, leaving Arianna’s mother unable to witness her daughter being laid to rest. Assistant State’s Attorney William Porter noted that someone later had to inform her where her daughter had been buried.

Chavis is set to be sentenced on July 11.

#Clique, what are your thoughts?