LEONARDTOWN, Md. — Thomas Moreland, 22, of Lexington Park, Maryland, was sentenced to life in prison on April 14, 2025, for his role in a deadly shooting at the Hollywood Volunteer Fire Department’s Annual Carnival on July 15, 2022. The attack claimed the life of 16-year-old Syncere Kovey Smith and left another teenager with multiple gunshot wounds, disrupting a cherished community event.
The sentencing follows Moreland’s conviction after a five-day jury trial in April 2024. The St. Mary’s County jury found him guilty of first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, and conspiracy to commit first-degree assault. During the sentencing hearing, Senior Assistant State’s Attorney Alena Mosier urged the court to impose the maximum penalty, highlighting Moreland’s disregard for human life and the lasting trauma inflicted on the victims and the community. “The Hollywood Carnival is a long-standing community event that families have enjoyed for decades,” State’s Attorney Jaymi Sterling said. “The Defendant’s vindictive and reckless actions not only devastated the victims and their families but also shattered the sense of safety in our community during what should have been a safe and fun family event.”
The shooting occurred around 10:57 p.m. in the carnival’s parking lot at 24801 Three Notch Road, Hollywood. Deputies and public safety personnel, already present at the event, responded immediately to reports of gunshots. Smith was found with multiple gunshot wounds and was transported to MedStar St. Mary’s Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The second victim, a 17-year-old, sustained two gunshot wounds and was airlifted to a trauma center. The incident stemmed from an ongoing dispute between rival groups, according to the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office.
Moreland was indicted in December 2022, alongside co-defendant Devron Ny’Quez Murray, who was convicted in November 2023 of first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder. Murray was sentenced to life without parole plus an additional life term and five years in May 2024. Investigators recovered a 9mm handgun near a gas station where Murray was apprehended shortly after the shooting, and witness accounts helped identify the suspects.
The carnival, a major fundraiser for the Hollywood Volunteer Fire Department, was canceled for the weekend following the incident and postponed to later dates. The violence shocked attendees and prompted community support efforts, including free mental health services offered by the Sheriff’s Office and Serenity Place, LLC, on July 17, 2022.
“This sentence ensures that the Defendant will be held accountable for the terror he inflicted on the entire community,” Sterling said. The case was prosecuted by Mosier, with Detective Tyler Payne and Corporal Daniel Sidorowicz leading the investigation for the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office. The Honorable Joseph Stanalonis presided over the trial and sentencing.
The conviction and sentencing reflect the community’s demand for justice, as noted in local reports. The Hollywood Carnival, a tradition for generations, continues to symbolize resilience despite the tragedy.
