Capitol Heights, MD — A Maryland man has been handed an 85-year prison sentence for a deadly shooting that resulted in the death of a 62-year-old grandmother, officials announced. The sentencing follows a tragic incident where Lidia Chinchilla DeCarrillo was fatally shot as she visited relatives in Capitol Heights.
Troy Medley, 38, of Prince George’s County, was convicted of second-degree murder among other charges in a case that brought profound sorrow and unrest to the community. The unprovoked attack occurred in March 2023, abruptly ending the life of Chinchilla DeCarrillo, who had recently arrived from El Salvador to mourn her grandson following his decease in a car accident.
According to Aisha Braveboy, the State’s Attorney, the killing unfolded when Chinchilla DeCarrillo and her granddaughter, who had picked her up, briefly stopped outside a home on Drumm Avenue. It was at this moment Medley, alighting from another vehicle, began shooting, striking Chinchilla DeCarrillo in the back.
Authorities reported that after the initial attack, Medley discharged his firearm at another residence before getting involved in a gunfight with individuals from a nearby convenience store. The ensuing chaos, however, resulted in no additional injuries.
In addition to second-degree murder, Medley faced charges including the use of a handgun in the commission of a violent crime, illegal handgun possession, and first-degree assault. He was tried and convicted on all counts.
During the sentencing, Braveboy emphasized the perilousness of Medley’s indiscriminate gunfire. “This incident left a grandmother deceased, underscoring the tragic senselessness of gun violence,” she stated, highlighting the disruptiveness of such actions on community safety.
The legal proceedings concluded with the judge delivering a sentence significantly greater than the guidelines generally recommended in Maryland, reflecting the grievous nature of Medley’s crimes.
“This was justice served, albeit bitter, considering the irreversible loss suffered by the Chinchilla DeCarrillo family,” Braveboy remarked, affirming her personal commitment to overseeing the prosecution. She lamented the brutal manner in which Lidia Chinchilla DeCarrillo’s life was taken, underscoring her resolve to combat violent crime aggressively.
The judge’s stern sentence sends a strong message about the consequences of gun-related violence and is seen by law enforcement as a step forward in the fight against indiscriminate shootings. The community, still healing from the shock of the tragedy, is urged to continue to cooperate with authorities to ensure safety and prevent future violence.