PGPD Investigating Fatal Shooting

Homicide Unit detectives are investigating a fatal shooting that occurred in the unincorporated section of Upper Marlboro on Wednesday morning. The victim is 30-year-old Randon Howard of Upper Marlboro. A reward of up to $25,000 is being offered for information leading to an arrest and indictment in this case.

On September 10, 2025, at approximately 8:15 am, officers responded to the area of Grandhaven Avenue and Old Colony Drive for the report of an unresponsive person. Once on scene, they located the victim outside suffering from a gunshot wound(s). He was pronounced dead on the scene.

Detectives are working to determine a motive and identify a suspect(s). 

Anyone with information on this case who would like to speak to a Homicide Unit detective may call 301-516-2512.  

Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Solvers online at www.pgcrimesolvers.com, the “P3 Tips” mobile app (search “P3 Tips” in the Apple Store or Google Play to download the app onto your mobile device), or call 1-866-411-TIPS (8477). You can remain anonymous. Please refer to case number 25-0050385.
 
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PGPD Releases Video of Homicide Suspects

The PGPD's Homicide Unit is asking for the community’s assistance in identifying three suspects wanted in connection with a murder in August. The suspects are seen walking in newly-released surveillance video. The victim in this case is 25-year-old Nathaniel Stephon Grier of New Carrollton. A reward of up to $25,000 is being offered for information leading to the arrest and indictment of the individual(s) responsible.

On August 20, 2025, at approximately 2:05 pm, officers responded to a shooting in the 4900 block of Indian Head Highway. Officers located Grier outside suffering from a gunshot wound. He died at the scene. A teenager was also shot. Preliminarily, his injuries are not considered life-threatening. A third person, an adult male, also suffered minor injuries during the incident.

 

Detectives are working to determine a motive. 

 

Anyone with information on this case who would like to speak to a Homicide Unit detective may call 301-516-2512.  

 

Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Solvers online at www.pgcrimesolvers.com, the “P3 Tips” mobile app (search “P3 Tips” in the Apple Store or Google Play to download the app onto your mobile device), or call 1-866-411-TIPS (8477). You can remain anonymous. Please refer to case number 25-0046207.

 

If you would prefer to translate this release into another language, please find the translation window on the right side of this webpage. Please select your preferred language from the available list.

PGPD Arrests Suspect in Fatal Shooting

 

   Herbert Keith Mason Jr.

The Prince George’s County Police Department’s Homicide Unit charged a man in connection with a fatal shooting on Sunday in Bowie. The suspect is 58-year-old Herbert Keith Mason Jr. of Bowie. He is charged with fatally shooting 59-year-old Benjamin Francis of Lanham.

On September 7, 2025, at approximately 6:30 pm, officers responded to a shooting in the 4300 block of Rockport Lane in unincorporated Bowie. Officers located Francis outside suffering from a gunshot wound. He died a short time later at a hospital.

The preliminary investigation revealed the suspect shot the victim during an argument. Mason and Francis were known to each other. Officers took Mason into custody on the scene. He is charged with second-degree murder and is in the custody of the Department of Corrections

Anyone with information on this case who would like to speak to a Homicide Unit detective may call 301-516-2512. 

Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Solvers online at www.pgcrimesolvers.com, the “P3 Tips” mobile app (search “P3 Tips” in the Apple Store or Google Play to download the app onto your mobile device) or call 1-866-411-TIPS (8477). You can remain anonymous. Please refer to case number 25-0049865. 

 

PGPD Arrests Suspect in Murder of Dacara Thompson

 

Hugo Hernandez-Mendez

The Prince George’s County Police Department’s Homicide Unit identified and arrested the man now charged with the murder of 19-year-old Dacara Thompson of Lanham. He is 35-year-old Hugo Hernandez-Mendez of Bowie.

 

On August 23, 2025, Ms. Thompson’s family reported her missing to the Prince George’s County Police Department (PGPD). The PGPD’s Missing Persons Unit opened an investigation into her whereabouts. On August 31, 2025, Maryland State Police (MSP) opened a death investigation after a female’s body was located in a grassy area off of Route 50 in Anne Arundel County. Based on a possible connection to the PGPD’s missing persons investigation, PGPD began working jointly with MSP. The body has since been identified as Ms. Thompson.

 

PGPD Homicide Unit detectives were able to locate additional surveillance video which showed Ms. Thompson approach a black SUV in the early morning hours of August 23, 2025. After speaking to the driver, Ms. Thompson is seen entering the SUV. The driver then drove to a home in the 12000 block of Kembridge Drive in Bowie. Based on this evidence, detectives applied for and obtained a search warrant for that home on September 4, 2025. Evidence was located suggesting Ms. Thompson had been murdered in a bedroom in the residence. Based on the totality of the evidence of the investigation, detectives arrested and charged Hernandez-Mendez with her murder. The suspect has access to the black SUV and lives in the bedroom where the murder occurred.

 

The victim’s cause of death has not been determined. Based on initial findings and evidence gathering during this investigation, it is expected for the death to be ruled a homicide by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. This remains an active investigation. Detectives are working to determine whether the suspect and victim were known to each other prior to August 23, 2025.

 

The suspect is charged with first and second degree murder. He is in the custody of the Department of Corrections being held on a no-bond status.

 

If anyone has information regarding this case, they are asked to call the Homicide Unit at 301-516-2512.

 

Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Solvers online at www.pgcrimesolvers.com, the “P3 Tips” mobile app (search “P3 Tips” in the Apple Store or Google Play to download the app onto your mobile device), or call 1-866-411-TIPS (8477). You can remain anonymous. Please refer to case number 25-0046894.

 

If you would prefer to translate this release into another language, please find the translation window on the right side of this webpage. Please select your preferred language from the available list.