David Scott Jones faces multiple murder and assault charges after authorities say he shot and killed a man during a dispute at a Lexington Park home Monday evening.
Deputies from the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office arrived at a residence in the 21000 block of Bellevue Court around 6:40 p.m. on October 27, 2025, following reports of an assault in progress. En route, dispatchers relayed that gunfire had occurred and one person showed signs of gunshot injuries. Officers found the victim, an unidentified adult male, dead near the driveway from wounds to the head and upper body.
Jones, 58, who lives at the address, held a handgun when deputies approached. He dropped the weapon and surrendered peacefully. Detectives from the Criminal Investigations Division learned through initial interviews that Jones and the victim argued verbally moments before the shots rang out.
Authorities charged Jones with first-degree murder, second-degree murder, first-degree assault, second-degree assault, use of a firearm in a violent crime and carrying a loaded handgun on his person. He remains in custody at the St. Mary’s County Detention and Rehabilitation Center in Leonardtown awaiting a bail review.
In Maryland, first-degree murder requires proof of deliberate, premeditated intent or commission during a felony like assault, carrying a mandatory life sentence without parole if convicted. Second-degree murder, lacking premeditation but showing intent to cause serious harm, allows up to 30 years in prison. Assault charges escalate based on severity: first-degree involves intent to cause grievous injury, punishable by 25 years, while second-degree covers lesser threats or attempts, up to 10 years.
The firearm enhancement adds 20 years consecutively for using a gun in violence, reflecting state efforts to curb gun-related offenses. Maryland law under Criminal Code Section 4-203 bans wearing or carrying a loaded handgun on one’s person or in a vehicle without a permit, a misdemeanor for first offenses but felony if tied to other crimes, with penalties up to three years.
Lexington Park has seen elevated violent crime compared to national averages, with odds of victimization at 1 in 277 for assaults or worse, driven partly by its dense housing near naval installations. Gun incidents, though not daily, prompt swift investigations; the Sheriff’s Office reported multiple shootings earlier in 2025, including nonfatal cases in Great Mills and Leonardtown. Residents often note the area’s blend of military stability and urban pressures, with community groups like the Lexington Park Business Association pushing for safety initiatives.
The Sheriff’s Office urges tips on this case, handled by Detective Andrew Burgess at 301-475-4200, extension 8041, or Andrew.Burgess@stmaryscountymd.gov.
Sheriff’s protocols ensure transparency, with body cameras and independent reviews for use-of-force, though this incident involved no officer shots. Community policing efforts, including neighborhood watches, aim to prevent escalations, educating on de-escalation during arguments.
As the probe continues, authorities process evidence like the recovered handgun for fingerprints and trajectories. Autopsy results from the state medical examiner will confirm cause of death, aiding charge sustainment.
This shooting, while isolated, highlights firearm access debates in a state with strict permitting—only 1 percent of adults hold wear/carry licenses. Educational outreach from groups like the St. Mary’s County Health Department stresses conflict resolution, vital for areas like Lexington Park where 46 percent of adults are unmarried and family dynamics vary.
Investigators anticipate closing the active phase soon, pending lab reports, to prepare for circuit court proceedings.