Charles County Sheriff’s Office detectives arrested a 32-year-old Waldorf resident on March 4, 2026, charging him in the July 3, 2025, shooting death of 47-year-old David Leroy Raley in Waldorf.
Shawn Lamont Wade, Jr., faces charges including second-degree murder, manslaughter, and related firearms offenses. The arrest followed an indictment by a Charles County Grand Jury, which led investigators to secure an arrest warrant.
The incident took place in the 3000 block of October Place, a residential area in Waldorf. Raley was found with a gunshot wound, and the case remained under active investigation for months until the breakthrough that resulted in Wade’s apprehension.
Wade is now held at the Charles County Detention Center, where he awaits a bond review.
This development marks a significant step forward in a case that began nearly eight months earlier. Detectives from the Criminal Investigations Division pursued leads to identify and charge the suspect.
Authorities continue to seek additional information from the public. Anyone with details about the case should contact Det. Worley at 301-609-6518.
For those preferring anonymity and potential eligibility for a cash reward, tips can go to Charles County Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-TIPS. Submissions are also accepted online at www.charlescountycrimesolvers.com or through the P3Intel mobile app.
The Charles County Sheriff’s Office released the details through its official channels, emphasizing community assistance in resolving violent crimes in the region.
Earlier reporting from July 2025 indicated the investigation into Raley’s death was ongoing, with suspects initially at large following the discovery of the victim outside with a gunshot wound. The recent arrest provides closure on identifying at least one individual linked to the event.
Southern Maryland communities, including Waldorf in Charles County, continue to face challenges from gun violence, making timely arrests in cold or prolonged cases a priority for law enforcement.
The charges reflect the seriousness of the allegations: second-degree murder carries significant penalties under Maryland law, alongside manslaughter as an alternative count and separate firearms violations that often accompany such incidents.
No additional suspects were mentioned in the latest update, though the investigation’s scope remains open for further tips.
This arrest underscores the persistence of detectives in following evidence over an extended period to bring charges in a fatal shooting that occurred in a neighborhood setting.
