UPDATE: Sheriff Troy Berry holds press conference on Robert Mange homicide

By Joseph Norris

La Plata, MD – Charles County Sheriff Troy Berry announced Tuesday, May 26 that deputies have arrested Richard Travis Conway, 36 of Waldorf, in association with a domestic-related shooting that occurred May 20 at a McDonald’s restaurant in Waldorf.

Berry said that Conway’s ex-wife was among the two victims of a shooting when his mother, Caroline Conway, got into the back seat of her ex-daughter-in-law’s car, produced a 40-caliber handgun, shooting Robert Michael Mange, 25, of Norfolk, VA, and his wife as they sat in their car in the parking lot waiting to pick up two children with whom they had visitation rights.

Mange was fatally wounded in the attack. His wife was later released from the hospital.

Investigators determined that Conway and his mother were accomplices in the attack. Conway is a Prince George’s County police officer. Charles County investigators are currently seeking to determine if his service revolver was used in the attack.

“During interrogation, Ms. Conway made some admission that her son’s weapon may have been used in the attack,” he noted. The gun has not been located, he added.

“We believe she came into possession of the gun,” the sheriff said. “We’re not at liberty at this time to talk specifics.”

Berry noted that St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office assisted in the investigation with technical support.

“This shooting is tragic in many ways,” Berry said. “It hurts many families. We quickly brought this case to closure,” he added.

Both the mother and son are being held without bond, Berry said. Charges include first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder.

“We believe it was definitely a deliberate act,” he said. “It was a very heinous event.”


Berry added the female victim and Conway were married at one time and had two children, a 4-year-old boy and a 2-year-old female. They are currently in the care of the female victim’s mother.

According to members of his family, Mange (pictured to the left), was active duty Navy from 2010 to 2014 and in the reserves at the time of his death.

Anyone who may have witnessed the attack is asked to call Det. John Elliott at 301-609-6515.

Contact Joseph Norris at joe.norris@thebaynet.com

Update from the Charles County Sheriff’s Office

Charles County Sheriff Troy D. Berry announced today that detectives have charged Richard Travess Conway, 26, of Waldorf in connection with the domestic-related shooting that left a man dead and a woman wounded in the parking lot of McDonalds in the 11000 block of Mall Circle on May 20. Conway’s mother, Caroline Conway, was quickly linked to the case and was arrested and charged within hours after the murder. 

On the night of the shooting, Caroline Conway approached Robert Michael Mange, 25, of Norfolk, VA, and his wife as they sat in their car in the parking lot waiting to pick up two children with whom they had visitation rights. Ms. Conway, the grandmother of one of the children, suddenly opened the car door and got in the back seat where she pulled a handgun and shot and killed Mr. Mange and then shot and wounded Mr. Mange’s wife before fleeing. Investigators believe the shooting stemmed from an ongoing child custody dispute between Mrs. Mange and Richard Conway, who had a prior relationship. The children were not with Ms. Conway at the time of the shooting.   

After Ms. Conway’s arrest, investigators learned Richard Conway was a police officer with the Prince George’s County Police Department. They immediately contacted members of the PGPD and both agencies began a joint investigation. St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s officers also assisted with technical support. Detectives worked methodically through evidence and witness accounts and subsequently developed information linking Richard Conway to the case. After conferring with Charles County State’s Attorney, Tony Covington, an arrest warrant was obtained. On May 25 Conway was arrested at his home he shared with his mother. 

Mr. Conway was off duty when the crime occurred and detectives are looking into the possibility his service firearm –which has not been located –was used in the commission of the crime. Anyone who may have seen Caroline Conway or Richard Conway on the night of the shooting or shortly thereafter is asked to call Det. J. Elliott at (301) 609-6515. Tipsters wishing to remain anonymous may contact Charles County Crime Solvers by calling 1-866-411-TIPS.

Conway and his mother are being held in the Charles County Detention Center with no bond. The investigation is continuing. 

Charles County Crime Solvers offers rewards of up to $1,000 for information that leads to the arrest or indictment of a person responsible for a crime in Charles County. Anyone with information about an unsolved crime or the location of a fugitive may contact Charles County Crime Solvers by calling 1-866-411-TIPS, texting CHARLES + the tip to CRIMES (274637) or submitting tips online at tipsubmit.com. All individuals who provide tips through Crime Solvers will remain anonymous. Learn more at the CCSO’s website.

Prince George’s Police Department Press Release

The Charles County Sheriff’s Office on Monday charged a Prince George’s County Police Officer with first degree murder and other related offenses. These charges are connected to an ongoing domestic-related homicide investigation in Charles County. Officer Richard Conway was off duty at the time of the incident.

Our Special Investigation Response Team (SIRT) immediately launched an investigation and suspended Officer Conway when informed of the homicide investigation in Charles County.

“The charges against Officer Conway are deeply troubling, not just to me, but to all who wear our badge. It’s tragic that a man lost his life and another victim is hospitalized. We will provide whatever assistance is needed to the Charles County Sheriff’s Office in its investigation,” said Chief Mark Magaw.

Chief Magaw will address this today at Prince George’s County Police headquarters in Palmer Park at 1:30 pm.

Conway has been employed by the PGPD for three years, and is currently assigned to the Bureau of Patrol. He is suspended without pay.