A funeral home director in Maryland reportedly shot and killed a pallbearer at a funeral service for a murdered 10-year-old girl.
Arianna Davis was being buried at Washington National Cemetery when Wilson Chavis, 48, owner of Compassion and Serenity Funeral Home, was involved in an altercation with two people affiliated with a funeral home with whom he had a business dispute. Davis told WRC-TV that Chavis screamed, “I own this body,” before fatally shooting Ronald Banks, 30.
Chavis’ funeral company was managing Davis’ burial. Davis was shot in Washington, D.C. on Mother’s Day when a stray bullet struck her while riding home in a car. She died several days later, according to WTOP.
Davis’ mother told WRC-TV that a woman was also shot in the leg during her daughter’s funeral.
Prior to the shooting, Chavis allegedly pushed the pastor as attendees gathered around Davis’ gravesite. After Chavis was confronted about his conduct, he backed up and tripped on a concrete lid. Chavis then rose to his feet and fired two shots, striking Banks and the woman, WTOP reported.
Chavis is charged with first- and second-degree murder. No arrests have been made in Davis’ shooting death.
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[Featured image: Arianna Davis/DC Police Department; Wilson Chavis/Prince George’s Police Department]
