Deon Watkins, 49, of Washington D.C.
UPDATE 2/22/2024: Tony Covington, State’s Attorney for Charles County, announced that on Wednesday, February 21, 2024, Charles County Circuit Court Judge H. James West sentenced Deon Watkins, 52, to two consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole for the murders of Kandeon Niravanh and Genesis Garrett, as well as related charges.
On August 30, 2023, a Charles County jury convicted Watkins of the aforementioned charges.
Before 1:00 a.m. on January 21, 2021, officers responded to the 2400 block of Hanover Court in Waldorf for a report of a residence with an open door. Several neighbors also reported hearing gunshots around 12:30 a.m.
Upon arrival, officers found the front door of a residence was open. They then discovered Kandeon Niravanh and Genesis Garrett deceased with apparent gunshot wounds to the upper body inside of the residence.
An investigation into the murders revealed that Watkins and Niravanh were involved in selling marijuana. Watkins was the supplier for the marijuana that Niravanh sold.
Prior to the incident, an argument occurred between Watkins and Niravanh via text message about a debt that Niravanh owed Watkins, as well as Watkins’ belief that Niravanh was attempting to contact his drug supplier directly. The exchange included voice-to-text messages of Watkins threatening violence against Niravanh.
The investigation also revealed that Watkins operated a gray 2012 Honda Accord passenger car. Based on phone records, video surveillance and tag reader information, Watkins drove this vehicle to the residence of Niravanh, who also lived with Garrett, and committed the murders of both victims.
Following the murders, a vehicle that matched the description of Watkins’ vehicle was observed on video surveillance leaving the scene.
At sentencing, Assistant State’s Attorney Jonathan Beattie called the incident a “rage killing” and asked for the maximum sentence under law. He furthered, “the callous disregard for human life is appalling” and that Watkins’ actions were “heinous, angry, and vengeful.”
Before sentencing Watkins, the honorable Judge H. James West stated that the incident “was an execution with no purpose other than to say, ‘I was crossed on a business level or I was disrespected.’ This shouldn’t be tolerated in any community.”
Guilty
- Count 1 – First Degree Murder of Kandeon Niravanh
- Life in Prison without the Possibility of Parole
- Count 2 – Use of a Firearm During the Commission of a Crime of Violence related to the First-Degree Murder of Kandeon Niravanh
- 20 Years in Prison, Concurrent with Count 1
- Count 3 – First Degree Murder of Genesis Garrett
- Life in Prison without the Possibility of Parole, Consecutive to Counts 1 and 2
- Count 4 – Use of a Firearm During the Commission of a Crime of Violence related to the First-Degree Murder of Genesis Garrett
- 20 Years in Prison, Concurrent to Count 3
- Count 5 – Use of a Firearm During the Commission After Being Convicted of a Crime of Violence
- 15 Years in Prison, Concurrent with Count 3
UPDATE 8/30/2023: Tony Covington, State’s Attorney for Charles County, announced that on Wednesday, August 30, 2023, a Charles County jury, after an 8-day trial, convicted Deon Watkins, 51, of the First-Degree Murder of Kandeon Niravanh, the First-Degree Murder of Genesis Garrett, and related charges.
Before 1:00 a.m. on January 21, 2021, officers responded to the 2400 block of Hanover Court in Waldorf for a report of an open door to a residence in the neighborhood.
Upon arrival, officers found the front door of a residence was open. They then discovered Kandeon Niravanh and Genesis Garrett deceased with apparent gunshot wounds to the upper body inside of that residence. Several neighbors also reported hearing gunshots around 12:30 a.m.
An investigation into the murders revealed that Watkins and Niravanh were involved in selling marijuana. Watkins was the supplier for the marijuana that Niravanh sold.
Prior to the incident, an argument occurred between Watkins and Niravanh via text message based on a debt that Niravanh owed Watkins, as well as Watkins’ belief that Niravanh was attempting to contact his drug supplier directly.
The exchange included voice-to-text messages of Watkins threatening violence against Niravanh.
The investigation also revealed that Watkins operated a gray 2012 Honda Accord passenger car. Based on phone records, video surveillance and tag reader information, Watkins drove this vehicle to the residence of Niravanh, who also lived with Garrett, and committed the murders of both victims. Following the murders, a vehicle that matched the description of Watkins’ vehicle was observed on video surveillance leaving the scene.
A status has been set for October 27, 2023, at which time a sentencing date will be selected.
Guilty
- 2 counts of First-Degree Murder
- Use of a Firearm During the Commission of a Crime of Violence related to the First-Degree Murder of Kandeon Niravanh
- Use of a Firearm During the Commission of a Crime of Violence related to the First-Degree Murder of Genesis Garrett
- Use of a Firearm During the Commission After Being Convicted of a Crime of Violence
UPDATE 1/24/2021: On January 21 at 12:45 a.m., officers responded to the 2400 block of Hanover Court in Waldorf for the report of the sound of gunshots. When officers arrived, they observed the front door to one of the townhomes was open.
Upon entering, officers located Kandeon Meisha Niravanh, 24, of Waldorf, and Genesis Garrett, 22, of Waldorf, inside the townhouse. Both women had gunshot wounds and were pronounced deceased.
During the course of the investigation, Deon Watkins, 49, of Washington, D.C., was identified as the person responsible for the murders. On January 23, Watkins was located in D.C. and arrested. He is awaiting extradition to Maryland to be charged. Details of the motive are not being released at this time; however, Watkins knew both victims.
Anyone with additional information is asked to call Detective J. Feldman at (301) 609-6474. Tipsters wishing to remain anonymous may contact Charles County Crime Solvers by calling 1-866-411-TIPS. Tips can also be submitted online at www.charlescountycrimesolvers.com or by using the P3Intel mobile app. The investigation is ongoing.
1/22/2021: Detectives from the Charles County Sheriff’s Office are continuing their investigation into the deaths of two women who were shot and killed in their townhome on January 21, 2021.
The victims have been positively identified as Kandeon Meisha Niravanh, 24, of Waldorf, and Genesis Garrett, 22, of Waldorf. Charles County Crime Solvers is offering a cash reward of up to $5,000 leading to the arrest of the suspect(s) in this case. The facts are as follows:
On January 21 at 12:45 a.m., officers responded to the 2400 block of Hanover Court in Waldorf for the report of the sound of gunshots. When officers arrived, they observed the front door to one of the townhomes was open. Upon entering, officers located the two victims inside. Both had gunshot wounds and were pronounced deceased. Further investigation revealed neighbors heard the shots approximately 30 minutes before calling 9-1-1.
Anyone with additional information is asked to call Detective J. Feldman at (301) 609-6474.
Tipsters wishing to remain anonymous may contact Charles County Crime Solvers by calling 1-866-411-TIPS. Tips can also be submitted online at www.charlescountycrimesolvers.com or by using the P3Intel mobile app. The investigation is ongoing.
1/21/2021: On Thursday, January 21 at 12:45 a.m., officers responded to the 2400 block of Hanover Court in Waldorf, for the report of the sound of gunshots.
When officers arrived, they observed the front door to one of the townhomes was open.
Upon entering, officers located two adults inside; both had trauma to their bodies and were pronounced deceased on the scene. Further investigation revealed neighbors heard the shots approximately 30 minutes before calling 9-1-1.
Based on the investigation at this point, it does not appear this was a random case; however, detectives are still following leads and treating this case as a homicide.
Additional information relating to the victims will be released once family members have been notified.
Anyone who has additional information is asked to call Detective J. Feldman at (301) 609-6474. Tipsters wishing to remain anonymous may contact Charles County Crime Solvers by calling 1-866-411-TIPS. Tips can also be submitted online at www.charlescountycrimesolvers.com or by using the P3Intel mobile app. The investigation is ongoing.
