UPDATE – Tony Covington, State’s Attorney for Charles County, announced that on Tuesday, November 9, 2021, Charles County Circuit Court Judge Amy J. Bragunier sentenced Anthony Dangelo Wilkins, 38, of Waldorf, to 70 years in prison for the Second-Degree Murder of Miaquita Gray, Attempted Second-Degree Murder of Emmanuel Perkins, Second-Degree Assault of Steven Mason, Jr., Second-Degree Assault of Anthony Thomas, and related charges.
On July 27, 2021, a Charles County jury convicted Wilkins of the above-mentioned charges.
On February 4, 2017, officers responded to the Beer 4 U Bar located in the 2100 block of Crain Highway in Waldorf for a report of a shooting. Upon arrival, officers discovered several victims suffering from various injuries, including Emmanuel Perkins, who sustained head injuries from an earlier assault, and Miaquita Gray, who suffered a gunshot wound to the upper body. Gray was later pronounced deceased as a result of her injuries.
A preliminary investigation revealed that a few moments prior to the shooting, Perkins was physically assaulted and robbed by three male suspects in the bathroom of Beer 4 U. After the assault, Perkins and his girlfriend, Gray, exited the bar and stood in the parking lot of the establishment. The suspects exited the establishment prior to Gray and Perkins leaving the bar. Perkins recognized the three male suspects and pointed them out. One of the suspects brandished a gun and began firing at Perkins and Gray, fatally striking Gray. Two other victims were struck but did not sustain life-threatening injuries.
A further investigation revealed Wilkins as the shooter and identified co-defendant Charles Leon Thompson, Jr. as an accomplice to the shooting and the armed robbery in the bathroom.
During sentencing, Assistant State’s Attorney Jonathan Beattie told the judge, “There are people left behind in the community who have to deal with the aftermath and the impact of this incident. – Based on the actions that [Wilkins] did that night, he is not deserving of mercy from the Court. This crime is horrific.”
Sentence:
Count 1
• Second-Degree Murder of Miaquita Gray
• 30 years in prison
Count 2
• Use of a Firearm During the Commission of a Crime of Violence
• 20 years in prison
• Consecutive to count 1
Count 20
• Second-Degree Assault of Steven Mason
• 10 years in prison
• Consecutive to counts 1 and 2
Count 24
• Second-Degree Assault of Anthony Thomas
• 10 years in prison
• Consecutive to counts 1, 2, and 20
Count 27
• Firearm Possession with Felony Conviction
• 15 years in prison
• Concurrent to counts 1, 2, 20, and 24
UPDATE — Tony Covington, State’s Attorney for Charles County, announced that on Tuesday, July 27, 2021, a Charles County jury convicted Anthony Dangelo Wilkins, 37, of Waldorf, of Second-Degree Murder, Attempted Second-Degree Murder, and related charges.
On February 4, 2017, officers responded to the Beer 4 U Bar located in the 2100 block of Crain Highway in Waldorf for a report of a shooting. Upon arrival, officers discovered several victims suffering from various injuries, including Emmanuel Perkins, who sustained head injuries from an earlier assault, and Miaquita Gray, who suffered a gunshot wound to the upper body. Gray was later pronounced deceased as a result of her injuries.
A preliminary investigation revealed that a few moments prior to the shooting, Perkins was physically assaulted and robbed by three male suspects in the bathroom of Beer 4 U. After the assault, Perkins and his girlfriend, Gray, exited the bar and stood in the parking lot of the establishment. The suspects also exited the establishment prior to Gray and Perkins leaving the bar. Perkins recognized the three male suspects and pointed them out. One of the suspects brandished a gun and began firing at Perkins and Gray, fatally striking Gray. Two other victims were struck but did not sustain life-threatening injuries.
A further investigation revealed Wilkins as the shooter and identified co-defendant Charles Leon Thompson, Jr. as an accomplice to the shooting and the armed robbery in the bathroom.
On December 4, 2017, Thompson entered a guilty plea to Armed Robbery and Use of a Handgun During the Commission of a Crime of Violence, and was sentenced to 40 years in prison by the Honorable Judge William R. Greer, Jr. on June 29, 2018.
A sentencing date has been set for Wilkins on October 20, 2021 at 1 p.m. He faces up to 138 years in prison.
Guilty Charges:
- Second-Degree Murder of Miaquita Gray
- Use of a Firearm During the Commission of a Crime of Violence
- Attempted Second-Degree Murder of Emmanuel Perkins
- Use of a Firearm During the Commission of aa Crime of Violence
- 3 counts of Reckless Endangerment
- 2 counts of Second-Degree Assault
- Wear, Carry, and Transport of Handgun Upon Their Person
- Firearm Possession with Felony Conviction
BOTH SUSPECTS IN POLICE CUSTODY
UPDATE FROM THE CHARLES COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE Feb. 14
La Plata, MD – Charles County Sheriff’s investigators have arrested Charles Leon Thompson, Jr., 33 of Waldorf, the second suspect in the murder of Miaquita Gray who was shot and killed on February 4 at the sports bar, Beer 4 U, in Waldorf. Thompson called detectives Feb. 13 and made arrangements to turn himself in to authorities. He was charged with first-degree murder and is being held at the Charles County Detention Center.
The other suspect in this case, Anthony Wilkins, 33, was located in Emporia, VA Feb. 12. Anyone with additional information about this case is asked to call Det. B. Buchanan at (301) 609-6477. Tipsters wishing to remain anonymous 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. The investigation is ongoing.
UPDATE 10:20 p.m. Monday night, Feb. 13
La Plata, MD – Homicide suspect, Charles Leon Thompson, Jr. turned himself into Charles County sheriff’s detectives late Monday evening, Feb. 13. He was charged with first-degree murder in connection with the shooting death of Miaquita Gray who was shot and killed on February 4. He is being held at the Charles County Detention Center.
Anthony Dangelo Wilkins, 33, was apprehended Sunday, Feb. 12 after a shootout with police in Emporia, VA. Wilkins was wounded in the shootout. Reports from Virginia stated that he was flown by Virginia State Police helicopter to Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center in Richmond. Several Virginia media outlets are reporting Wilkins is being treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
The Charles County Sheriff’s Office will have more details on the case Tuesday, Feb. 14. Wilkins and Thompson face charges in connection with the Feb. 4 shooting death of Miaquita Gray in Waldorf.
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SUSPECT IN MURDER CASE LOCATED IN EMPORIA, VA:
Emporia, VA – Charles County Sheriff’s investigators have located Anthony Dangelo Wilkins, 33, who was wanted in connection with the murder of Miaquita Gray. Gray was shot and killed on February 4 at the sports bar, Beer 4 U, in Waldorf. According to Virginia law enforcement authorities, Wilkins was involved in a shooting with Virginia State Police on February 12. He was taken to a hospital where detectives from the CCSO responded and confirmed his identity. A second suspect in the homicide, Charles Leon Thompson, Jr., 33, of Waldorf, has not been located. Charles County Crime Solvers is offering a cash reward for the tip that leads to the arrest of Thompson. The details of the shooting are as follows:
On February 4 at 1:25 a.m., officers responded to a business, Beer 4 U, located at 2177 Crain Highway in Waldorf for the report of a shooting. Upon arrival, officers located two people with gunshot wounds. Miaquita Gray, 26, of Lexington Park, had a gunshot wound to the upper body; she was transported to a nearby hospital where she was pronounced deceased. A 24-year-old male was grazed in the leg during the shooting. A preliminary investigation revealed there had been an altercation inside the business prior to the shooting, during which a male acquaintance of Gray was assaulted. Shortly after the altercation, the man went outside to talk with Gray, who had just left. Wilkins and Thompson, who had been involved in the earlier assault, were in the parking lot when Wilkins pulled a gun and fired multiple rounds, striking Gray and wounding another man. It does not appear Gray was the intended target. Both suspects fled the scene and neither have been located.
Thompson is 5’11 and weighs 190 lbs. He has tattoos on his arms and neck. Charles County Crime Solvers is offering a cash reward for information leading to the arrest of Thompson. Anyone with information is asked to call Det. B. Buchanan at (301) 609-6477. Tipsters wishing to remain anonymous 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. The investigation is ongoing.
UPDATE – 2-7-17 at 6pm
DETECTIVES OBTAIN SECOND ARREST WARRANT IN MURDER CASE / CRIME SOLVERS OFFERING CASH REWARD FOR WHEREABOUTS OF SUSPECTS: Charles County Sheriff’s detectives assigned to the Criminal Investigations Division have identified a second suspect wanted in connection with the murder of Miaquita Gray, who was shot and killed last week. An arrest warrant has been obtained for Charles Leon Thompson, Jr., 33, of Waldorf. The other suspect, Anthony Dangelo Wilkins, 33, who also has a warrant for his arrest, has not been located. Charles County Crime Solvers is offering a cash reward for the tip that leads to the arrest of the suspects.
Charles County Sheriff’s detectives assigned to the Criminal Investigations Division have identified a suspect wanted in connection with the murder of Miaquita Gray, who was shot and killed last week. An arrest warrant has been obtained for Anthony Dangelo Wilkins, 33, of Waldorf. The details of the shooting are as follows:
On February 4 at 1:25 a.m., officers responded to a business, Beer 4 U, located at 2177 Crain Highway in Waldorf for the report of a shooting. Upon arrival, officers located two people with gunshot wounds. Miaquita Gray, 26, of Lexington Park, had a gunshot wound to the upper body; she was transported to a nearby hospital where she was pronounced deceased. A 24-year-old male was grazed in the leg during the shooting. A preliminary investigation revealed there had been an altercation inside the business prior to the shooting, during which an acquaintance of Gray was beaten. Shortly after the altercation, the man who had been assaulted went outside to talk with Gray, who had just left. At that time, the suspect – who was in the parking lot – pulled out a gun and fired multiple rounds, striking Gray and grazing another man. It does not appear Gray was the intended target. The man who had been assaulted earlier was treated for injuries that were not life-threatening.
Anthony Dangelo Wilkins is 5’10”, 190 lbs., has long hair he wears in corn rows, and has multiple tattoos on his neck, chest, and arms. Charles County Crime Solvers is offering a cash reward for information leading to his arrest. Anyone with information is asked to call Det. B. Buchanan at (301) 609-6477. Tipsters wishing to remain anonymous 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. The investigation is ongoing.
Waldorf Md.: On February 4 at 1:25 a.m., officers responded to a business, Beer 4 U, located at 2177 Crain Highway in Waldorf for the report of a shooting. Upon arrival, officers located two people with gunshot wounds. Miaquita Gray, 26, of Lexington Park, had a gunshot wound to the upper body; she was transported to a nearby hospital where she was pronounced deceased. A 24-year-old male was grazed in the leg during the shooting. A preliminary investigation revealed the male victim was initially assaulted inside the business by the suspects. As he left the business moments later with Gray, the suspects were in the parking lot. For unknown reasons, one of the suspects pulled a gun and fired shots, striking Gray one time and wounding the male. It is not clear what prompted the assault and shooting. Detectives assigned to the Criminal Investigations Division are pursuing leads. Charles County Crime Solvers is offering a cash reward for information leading to the arrest of the suspect(s). Anyone with information is asked to call Det. B. Buchanan at (301) 609-6477. Tipsters wishing to remain anonymous 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. The investigation is ongoing.