Beef over child leads to lead flying and man dying

LAUREL, MD. — Anne Arundel County Police, along with Prince Georges County Police rounded up an alleged dangerous gang of killers, one or more of whom was responsible for dispatching a man to eternity.

On Tuesday, May 12, 2015 at approximately 8:26 p.m., the Anne Arundel County Police Department responded to the 3400 block of Sudlersville South in Laurel for a report of a shooting.  Upon arrival, officers located an adult male lying on the ground suffering from apparent gunshot wounds.  The shooting victim was transported to Laurel Regional Hospital where he was later pronounced deceased.

The victim was identified as Anthony Donnell Minick, 22, of the unit block of Morris Drive in Laurel, Maryland.  Several family members and associates responded to the hospital upon hearing of this incident and were notified of his death.

A Be On the Look Out (BOLO) was broadcasted to all surrounding jurisdictions for a suspect vehicle, a Nissan, in which the suspects used to flee the scene.  Within an hour after the murder of Minick, a Prince Georges County Police Department detective observed the suspect vehicle.  A traffic stop was then initiated and the occupants of that vehicle, Zelina Smith and a juvenile, were transported to the Anne Arundel County Police Criminal Investigation Division.

According to police, through physical evidence and eyewitness accounts, the investigation revealed Zelina Sharrieff Smith drove her brother, Daniel Xavier Stephens, her son Tyrik Zachary Smith and a juvenile to the 3400 block of Sudlersville South in order for her son, Tyrik, to see his child.  Upon arrival, an altercation occurred in which Tyrik Smith and Minick got into a physical altercation.  It is at this time witnesses described observing Daniel Stephens pull out a handgun and shoot Minick.  Zelina Smith, Tyrik Smith, Daniel Stephens and the juvenile then entered the vehicle that was being driven by Zelina Smith. They all left the area.

Police report that Homicide Detectives then obtained arrest warrants for Daniel Stephens and Tyrik Smith.  On Wednesday, May 13, 2015 at approximately 8:00 a.m., members of the Special Enforcement Team (SET) observed Daniel Stephens operating a vehicle in the area of Route 197 and 198.  A traffic stop was initiated on the vehicle where Daniel Stephens was taken into custody without incident.

Police say that Detectives searched for Tyrik Smith throughout the day and located him in the 1500 block of Good Hope Road, Silver Spring, Maryland.  Tyrik Smith was taken into custody without incident.  At this time photos of the suspects are being withheld as to the ongoing nature of this investigation.

The Anne Arundel County Evidence Collection Unit assisted Homicide Detectives with locating and collecting any items of possible evidentiary value from the crime scene.  Homicide detectives have also located several witnesses and are in the process of conducting interviews to identify the suspect(s) involved in the murder of Minick.

Police say that this is a very fluid and active investigation and the Anne Arundel County Police are urging anyone with information to come forward by calling Homicide Detective Jason McNemar 410-222-4756.  If people with information wish to remain anonymous, they can also contact the Anne Arundel County Police Tip Line 410-222-4700 or Metro Crime Stoppers.

Detectives from the homicide unit assumed the lead into the investigation of the murder of Minick.

Zelina Smith was then identified and charged as follows:

Zelina Sharrieff Smith, 45, 13000 block of Avebury Drive, Laurel, Maryland 20708

CHARGES:   Accessory After the Fact: First Degree Murder

Accessory After the Fact: Second Degree Murder

Wear, Carry, Transport a Handgun in Vehicle

The following charges were obtained for Daniel Stephens and Tyrik Smith.

Daniel Xavier Stephens, 23, 19000 Montgomery Village Avenue, Montgomery Village, Maryland

CHARGES:  First Degree Murder

Second Degree Murder

First Degree Assault

Second Degree Assault

Handgun on Person

Handgun in Vehicle

Conspiracy to Commit First Degree Murder

Conspiracy to Commit Second Degree Murder

Conspiracy to Commit First Degree Assault

Conspiracy to Commit Second Degree Assault

Firearm Use/Felony-Violent Crime

Reckless Endangerment

Tyrik Zachary Smith, 25, 19000 Montgomery Village Avenue, Montgomery Village, Maryland

CHARGES: First Degree Murder

Second Degree Murder

First Degree Assault

Second Degree Assault

Reckless Endangerment

Conspiracy to Commit First Degree Assault

Conspiracy to Commit Second Degree Assault

Even though the suspects involved in Minick’s murder have been arrested this is still a very fluid and active investigation and the Anne Arundel County Police are urging anyone with information to come forward by calling Homicide Detective Jason McNemar 410-222-4756.  If people with information wish to remain anonymous they can also contact the Anne Arundel County Police Tip Line 410-222-4700 or Metro Crime Stoppers.