Suspect Leads Police On Car Chase Following Teens' Fatal Shooting: Police

FORT WASHINGTON, MD — The suspect wanted in connection to the fatal shooting of two teenagers has been apprehended after a brief police chase, according to officials.

On May 27 around 9:35 p.m., Prince George's police officers were in the area of the 5500 block of Haras Place when they heard gunshots. The officers canvassed the area and found 16-year-old Thomas Smith, Jr. of Washington, D.C., and 16-year-old Michael Bassett of Temple Hills with gunshot wounds. Smith was pronounced dead at the scene while Bassett died a short time later at the hospital. A third teenager who was with the boys also was shot at but was not hit, police reported.

Police officers saw an SUV believed to be involved in the shooting take off from the scene and attempted to stop it. The driver refused to stop. Prince George's officers pursued the SUV into Washington, D.C., where the suspect, 27-year-old Duan Goddard of Fort Washington, was taken into custody, police reported.

The preliminary investigation indicates the suspect shot the victims during a suspected illegal drug deal and that the victims arrived at the scene in a vehicle that had been carjacked on St. Barnabas Road in Oxon Hill on May 23. Multiple firearms were recovered at the shooting scene on Haras Place, too, police stated.

The suspect is in custody in Washington, D.C., pending extradition to Prince George's County. He's been charged with first- and second-degree murder and related charges. Anyone with information about the case who would like to speak to a detective can call 301-516-2512.

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