The Prince George’s County Police Department’s Homicide Unit identified and charged a suspect in connection with a fatal shooting in Suitland over the weekend. The suspect is 27-year-old DeAllen Price of the 6400 block of Hil Mar Drive in unincorporated District Heights. He’s accused of fatally shooting 20-year-old Tavahn Ashton of Suitland. She was a transgender female whose first name was Taya. The suspect and victim were known to each other.
On July 17, 2021, at approximately 9:55 pm, officers responded to an apartment in the 2300 block of Brooks Drive for a shooting. The victim was located inside of her apartment suffering from a gunshot wound and was pronounced dead on the scene.
During the course of the investigation, Price was developed as a suspect. One day after Taya’s murder, Arlington County Police (VA) arrested Price on unrelated charges. He was arrested after fleeing from officers and running into the Metro tracks at the Pentagon City Metro Station. With the assistance of Metro Transit Police, Prince George’s County Police detectives and a K9 officer searched those tracks and recovered a weapon that’s now been linked to Taya’s murder.
Price remains in custody in Virginia pending extradition to Prince George’s County. He’s charged with first and second degree murder and related charges in connection with Taya’s murder. The motive remains under investigation.
Detectives have uncovered no evidence suggesting Taya’s murder was due to her gender identity.