Suspect arrested in fatal shooting at unauthorized car meet – NBC4 Washington

Prince George’s County police have arrested a suspect in a fatal shooting at a drive-thru early Sunday morning.

Raheem Adams, 22, of Stafford, Virginia, is charged with first degree murder and other offenses in connection with the shooting death of 26-year-old John Phipps in District Heights. Adams is in custody in Virginia awaiting extradition to Maryland.

At about 1:45 a.m. Sunday, a Chevy Camaro skidded across the parking lot of a shopping center on Marlboro Pike when at least three gunmen fired in the direction of the car.

Phipps’ family members say he was sitting in his car in the parking lot with his friends when he was hit by gunfire. He was pronounced dead a short time later, police said.

“In the complete opposite direction from where the argument started, and he was innocent, completely innocent,” said Jeff Watt, Phipps’ friend and co-worker.

Another person in Phipps’ car was injured, police said.

Investigators say Adams was one of the shooters, according to charging documents.

Phipps was a dedicated tow truck driver with a lifelong passion for cars.

“Sometimes I still don’t believe it,” Watt said. “I mean, we worked together. We hung out on the weekends. I saw him almost every day. I’ve been coming to work looking for my best friend for the last three days and it’s weird not seeing him come through the door.”

“He was one of those people who was just outgoing,” said friend Isiah Goslee. “He never had a problem with anyone; He never wanted to hurt anyone.”

Adams has been arrested several times in the past and charged with weapons offenses.

The owner of the parking lot said he knew nothing about the car meet and that it was not authorized.