LEONARDTOWN, MD — On April 15, 2024, St. Mary’s County State’s Attorney Jaymi Sterling announced the conviction of 21-year-old Thomas Moreland for his role in the tragic 2022 shooting at the Hollywood Volunteer Fire Department’s carnival. The incident resulted in the death of a 16-year-old and left another teenager seriously injured.
The five-day jury trial culminated in Moreland, a resident of Lexington Park, Maryland, being found guilty of multiple charges, including first-degree murder and attempted murder.
Sterling remarked on the incident, “The annual Hollywood Carnival is a treasured family tradition. However, on July 15, 2022, the defendant, along with others, turned it into a nightmarish event, inflicting widespread fear that rippled throughout the county and beyond.”
The jury also convicted Moreland of second-degree murder, first-degree assault, and conspiracy to commit first-degree assault, along with the aforementioned charges.
As the verdict was delivered, it was determined that Moreland will be held without bond until his sentencing hearing, where he faces the possibility of a life sentence.
The prosecution team, led by Senior Assistant State’s Attorneys Sarah Proctor and Alena Mosier, represented the interests of the citizens of St. Mary’s County. They successfully built a case with the help of key evidence and testimonies managed by Detective Tyler Payne and Corporal Daniel Sidorowicz of the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office. The Sheriff’s Office Crime Lab also provided crucial support in the investigation.
The Honorable Joseph Stanalonis presided over the trial, which drew significant community interest due to the nature of the crime and its impact on the local community.
As the community continues to heal from the 2022 tragedy, the outcome of this trial marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing effort to address and deter violent crime in St. Mary’s County.