State’s Attorney Announces Sentence for Local Funeral Director Convicted of Murder in 2024 Shooting at Cemetery

UPPER MARLBORO, MD – Prince George’s County Interim State’s Attorney Tara Jackson announced today that 50-year-old Wilson Chavis has been sentenced to 60 years in prison, suspending all but 25 years after being convicted of second-degree murder on February 14, 2025, in the shooting death of 30-year-old Ronald Banks. Chavis was also convicted of use of a handgun in the commission of a crime of violence and reckless endangerment.

“This was an unthinkable tragedy - one that has caused immeasurable pain to multiple families,” says Interim State’s Attorney Jackson. “What these families and this community had to experience is something that should never happen. Today’s sentencing sends a clear and unequivocal message that we will not tolerate this kind of violence in our community. Our hearts remain with the families that have suffered because of this tragic incident, and we remain committed to ensuring that those who commit such violent acts are held fully accountable.”

On June 6, 2023, Chavis, a local funeral director, was hosting the burial service for 10-year-old Arianna Davis at Washington National Cemetery in Suitland when he was involved in a confrontation with two individuals from another funeral home with whom he was disputing with. During the dispute, Banks, who was serving as a pallbearer at Davis’ service, was fatally shot. There was a second victim who suffered a graze wound.

###