A heartbreaking tragedy struck the Washington D.C. area Tuesday afternoon when Shaunte Denise Canty, a 35-year-old mother, was killed in a violent crash involving a stolen vehicle driven by four juvenile males. Canty leaves behind a young son and daughter, and her family and community mourn the devastating loss.
Deadly Crash and Immediate Details
The crash occurred shortly before 4 p.m. near the intersection of Sheriff Road and Martin Luther King Jr. Highway in Landover, Maryland. Seat Pleasant police had been tracking the stolen vehicle from a distance after it was reported missing four days earlier.
The suspects, all juveniles aged 15 to 17, were driving the stolen car when they ran a red light and collided with Canty’s vehicle as she was driving eastbound. Canty was pronounced dead at the scene. Her two-year-old child, who was a passenger in her car, sustained serious but non-life-threatening injuries and was rushed to a hospital for treatment.
Juveniles in Police Custody
Of the four teens involved in the stolen vehicle, three were hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries, while the fourth was taken into police custody. Authorities are investigating whether these juveniles may be linked to other crimes, including a possible armed robbery.
Law enforcement officials emphasized that officers had been following the stolen vehicle from a safe distance but did not engage in a pursuit to prevent further danger. A helicopter was deployed to assist in tracking.
Community and Officials Respond
The tragic incident occurred on the first day of school in Prince George’s County, adding to the sorrow felt by the community. County Executive Aisha Braveboy expressed deep sympathy for Canty’s family and underscored the urgency of addressing juvenile crime and violence.
“Today is just a very sad day… Young people have to be in school, focused on learning and their futures. When they take their eyes off that, they end up in situations like this,” Braveboy said.
Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Tara Jackson assured the public that her office will pursue all appropriate criminal charges in connection with the crash, emphasizing the importance of accountability for the teenagers involved.
Ongoing Investigation and Call for Information
Police continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash. They are asking anyone with information to contact the Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Unit. The investigation aims to understand all details and prevent similar tragedies in the future.
Meanwhile, the focus remains on supporting the Canty family during this incredibly difficult time, as the community rallies around the loss of a mother taken far too soon.
