A Maryland funeral home director reportedly shot and killed a pallbearer during the burial of a 10-year-old girl, who herself died in a drive-by shooting.
Arianna Davis was shot while she slept in her family’s car on Mother’s Day (May 14) in Washington, D.C., and later died, according to NBC Washington.
Deadly Gunfire Erupts At 10-Year-Old Girl’s Burial After She Was Killed In Drive-By Shooting
On Tuesday, gunfire broke out as Davis was being buried at Washington National Cemetery in Suitland.
“I’m so traumatized that this happened at my daughter’s burial site. I didn’t even get to lay her down, even to put her in the ground, and another incident happened. This is so traumatizing to me, my children, my whole family. It’s trauma after trauma,” her mother, Antionette Belk Belk, told the outlet.
The owner of Compassion and Serenity Funeral Home, Wilson Chavis, reportedly killed 30-year-old Ronald Banks. Banks was serving as a pallbearer at Arianna’s funeral, the outlet reports.
Business Dispute Between Funeral Homes At The Center Of Deadly Burial Shooting
Police say the 48-year-old Chavis shot Banks due to his intervening in a business dispute with the latter’s Freeman Funeral Services.
Arianna’s cousin was also shot in the leg amidst the gunfire, according to Belk. The preacher — who was Arianna’s uncle — was not injured.
FOX 5 DC reports that at the gravesite, Chavis confronted the funeral pastor and another person associated with Freeman Funeral Services.
“I’m here for all you b***h a** n****s!” Chavis yelled at the pastor, according to court documents viewed by WUSA 9.
“I own this body!”
He added: “This ain’t your f***ing funeral home,” before reportedly pushing and spitting on the pastor.
Gunman Charged With Murder And Attempted Murder, Victim Was Close Friend Of Girl’s Family
A handful of funeral attendees then confronted Chavis, prompting him to draw a firearm and fire two shots before driving away from the scene, according to police.
Cops arrested and took him into custody minutes later, per NBC Washington. Chavis is charged with first and second-degree murder. He was also charged with attempted first and second-degree murder, FOX 5 DC reports.
#BREAKING @pgpdnews announces the arrest of 48yo Wilson Chavis – charged in connection w/the fatal shooting of 30yo Ronald Steven Banks at yesterday’s funeral for 10yo Arianna Davis. @fox5dc pic.twitter.com/aelkQhn5wB
— Stephanie Ramirez (@RamirezReports) June 7, 2023
In court, Wednesday, FOX 5 DC learned that the head of Freeman’s Funeral Services filed for a temporary peace order against Chavis last month. The pastor, Arianna’s uncle, was reportedly one of those employees listed as requiring a protection order against Chavis.
Chavis allegedly threatened and harassed the company over the phone and text. He similarly threatened an employee there regarding an incident two years ago.
Chavis is scheduled for a bond hearing Thursday afternoon, the outlet reports.
Meanwhile, no arrests have been made in the shooting death of Arianna Davis.
#BREAKING: Police have confirmed 10-year-old Arianna Davis succumbed to her injuries Wednesday evening and died.https://t.co/TnA5CzWKzU pic.twitter.com/ewJDFy6Yr5
— FOX 5 DC (@fox5dc) May 18, 2023
