Detectives with the Charles County Sheriff's Office's Major Crimes Unit have arrested Jevonte Tijuan Chase, 24, of Indian Head, for the murder of a 23-year-old Indian Head man in November.
Sheriff's officers responded to a residence on Oakside Lane in Indian Head on Nov. 11 at approximately 9:40 a.m. for the report of a fight and a shooting. Initially, officers were unable to locate a victim or any witnesses. Shortly thereafter, officers confirmed a shooting had occurred and a family member had transported the victim, Danny Ray Stigers, to Fort Washington Hospital. Stigers was pronounced dead at the hospital.
Detectives responded to the hospital and spoke with family members and witnesses. Investigation revealed the victim was at a gathering with friends at a residence on Oakside Lane. He left the residence and went outside. When he returned, he announced he had been shot. Another witness reported hearing an argument in the street followed by the sound of shots fired.
During their investigation, detectives determined Chase and Stigers, who knew each other, had an argument during the gathering on Oakside Lane. Chase brandished a handgun during the argument and shot Stigers.
Chase was indicted by a Grand Jury and detectives obtained a warrant for Chase on Jan. 17. Chase turned himself in at the La Plata District Station at approximately 4:15 p.m. the same day. He is charged with first degree murder, using a handgun in the commission of a felony or violent crime, first degree assault, wearing, carrying and transporting a handgun on his person and illegal possession of a regulated firearm. He is being held at the Charles County Detention Center without bond.
The Stigers homicide was one of five that occurred in Charles County in 2005. Detectives have closed all but one of those cases.