Capitol Heights man arrested in weekend homicide

Prince George’s County Police arrested a man in connection with the fatal shooting of another man Saturday in Capitol Heights.

Michael Ritch, 29, is charged with first- and second-degree murder in the death of 45-year-old Devin Mason, police said in a statement Monday.

“The motive for the shooting remains under investigation. At this time, there is no evidence the suspect and victim were known to each other,” police said.

Mason had no known address, police said.

Officers responded at about 11:35 a.m. to a shooting in the 5000 block of Emo Street. Mason was found outside with a gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead at a local hospital.

Prince George’s detectives secured video of the shooting, which showed a driver of a Ford Taurus fire shots from the vehicle at the victim, according to court records.

“The individual in the driver’s seat of the Ford Taurus opens the driver’s door, fires multiple shots at the Decedent, and turns left onto Larchmont Avenue, fleeing the scene,” court records said.

Detectives learned that shortly before the shooting, the suspect and victim were at a JB Convenience Store on Larchmont Avenue in Capitol Heights. The two men spoke about “obtaining marijuana,” according to court records.

Detectives obtained video from the store of the two men talking in a parking lot minutes before the deadly shooting. The video showed the suspect entering a Ford Taurus, with its license plate visible, which detectives linked to Ritch.

Officers found the Taurus at about 4:35 p.m. Saturday at a McDonald’s in Capitol Heights, where Ritch was arrested, according to court records.

He is being held at the Department of Corrections on a no-bond status.

It was not immediately clear on Monday afternoon if Ritch had retained an attorney.

Anyone with information who wants to speak to a homicide detective can call 301-516-2512. The case is referred to as 26-0055479, police said.