Gregory DeShawn Collins, Jr., 22, of Waldorf
UPDATE 8/2/2022: Tony Covington, State’s Attorney for Charles County, announced that on Tuesday, August 2, 2022, Charles County Circuit Court Judge H. James West sentenced Gregory Deshawn Collins, 23, of Waldorf, to life without parole plus 20 years in prison for the First- Degree Felony Murder of Lynn Maher, Armed Robbery, and related charges.
On May 11, 2022, a Charles County Jury found Collins guilty of the aforementioned charges.
In commenting on the Court’s sentence, Covington said, “The Court’s decision in this matter was appropriate. Collins permanently erased a life from this earth. In my view, when you take someone’s life as this defendant did, you should forfeit your right to live the rest of your life as a free man. So, the sentence was fair and reasonable.”
Lynn Marie Maher killed in robbery at the 7-11 on Middletown Road
UPDATE 5/11/2022: Tony Covington, State’s Attorney for Charles County, announced that on Wednesday, May 11, 2022, a Charles County jury, after an 8-day trial, convicted Gregory Deshawn Collins, 23, of Waldorf, of the First-Degree Felony Murder of Lynn Maher, Armed Robbery, and related charges.
On October 1, 2020, officers responded to the 7-11 convenience store located in the 3300 block of Middletown Road in Waldorf for the report of a shooting. Upon arrival, officers discovered victim Lynn Maher, an employee of 7-11, deceased at the scene.
An investigation revealed that on the night of the incident, a male suspect entered the store and selected a 7-11 brand tea bottle. He then approached the sales counter, where Maher was working as a cashier. The suspect brandished a handgun and announced a robbery. Maher removed all the money from the register till and gave it to the suspect.
She showed the empty register till to the suspect, who pointed a handgun at her and pulled the trigger. The bullet struck Maher in the head, killing her.
After shooting Maher, the suspect put the money, a total of $249.69, in his pocket and fled the scene.
Surveillance of the incident showed that the suspect, later identified as Collins, was wearing a distinct pair of blue jeans and blue tennis shoes. A photograph was discovered of Collins wearing blue shoes on September 7, 2020, consistent with what was worn during the robbery and murder.
Further, a search and seizure warrant was executed at Collins’ residence. During the search, a pair of blue jeans were recovered that were consistent with the suspect from the robbery and murder.
During the course of the investigation, Collins confessed to robbing the store and shooting Maher. DNA evidence also linked Collins to the robbery and murder.
Collins will be sentenced on August 2, 2022. At sentencing, Collins faces life plus 20 years in prison.
Collins was found guilty of the following charges.
- First-Degree Felony Murder
- Use of a Handgun During the Commission of a Crime of Violence
- First-Degree Assault
- Use of a Handgun During the Commission of First-Degree Assault
- Armed Robbery
- Use of a Handgun During the Commission of Armed Robbery
- Theft $100-$1500
- Wear, Carry and Transport Handgun Upon Their Person
- Loaded Handgun on Person
UPDATE 10/27/2020: Gregory DeShawn Collins, Jr., 22, of Waldorf, was extradited this morning from Georgia and is currently in the custody of the Charles County Sheriff’s Office. He is expected to have a virtual bond review tomorrow.
Gregory DeShawn Collins, Jr., murdered Lynn Marie Maher on October 1, 2020, at the 7-Eleven on Middletown Road in Waldorf.
According to court documents, Collins approached the counter and brandished a black handgun before announcing a robbery. Maher removed all of the money from the register till, handing it to the Collins, and then showed the empty register till to Collins, who pointed the handgun at her and pulled the trigger. The bullet struck the victim in the head, killing her. Collins put the money in his pocket and fled from the store. The amount of cash stolen was $249.69.
Physical evidence revealed Collins fell in a muddy area while fleeing.
During the subsequent investigation, Gregory Deshawn Collins Jr. was identified as the person responsible for murdering Maher.
A search and seizure warrant was executed on his (Collins) residence, and a pair of blue jeans with mud on them were recovered from his bedroom, matching those seen in the surveillance footage.
Detect1ves reviewed surveillance footage from the Charles County Detention Center in La Plata, from 9/7/2020, when Gregory Collins Jr. was arrested on an outstanding, unrelated warrant. While he was being processed into the detention center, he was seen wearing the same blue tennis shoes seen in the surveillance footage from the shooting.
Gregory DeShawn Collins, Jr., 22, of Waldorf
UPDATE 10/19/2020: Through an extensive investigation and coordination with the U.S. Marshals Task Force, Gregory DeShawn Collins, Jr., 22, of Waldorf, was located and apprehended in Georgia on Monday, October 19, 2020.
Collins is currently awaiting extradition in Georgia and will be served an arrest warrant upon his return to Maryland for this incident.
Charles County Sheriff’s Detectives identified Collins as a suspect in the murder of Lynn Marie Maher, which took place on October 1 at the 7-Eleven on Middletown Road in Waldorf. Maher was shot and killed during an armed robbery. Detectives worked closely with Corporal Eric Baker, a Charles County Officer assigned to the U.S. Marshals Task Force, to determine Collins’ location. Due to the tireless efforts by Cpl. Baker, the Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force, Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force, and the Southeast Regional Fugitive Task Force, Collins was apprehended without incident.
The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information about this case is asked to contact Det. Feldman at (301) 609-6474. Those who may have information but want to remain anonymous may contact Charles County Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-TIPS. Tips can also be submitted online at www.charlescountycrimesolvers.com or by using the P3Intel mobile app.
UPDATE – 10/16/2020 @ 5:00 P.M.: Charles County Sheriff’s Detectives have identified Gregory DeShawn Collins, Jr., 22, of Waldorf, as a suspect in the murder of Lynn Marie Maher which took place on October 1, 2020, at the 7-Eleven on Middletown Road in Waldorf.
Maher was shot and killed during an armed robbery.
Detectives have obtained an arrest warrant and are urging anyone with information about this case or Collins’ whereabouts to contact Det. Feldman at (301) 609-6474.
If anyone sees Collins, please do not approach and instead call 911 immediately. A reward of up to $42,500 is being offered for information leading to the arrest and indictment of the suspect.
Those who may have information but want to remain anonymous may contact Charles County Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-TIPS. Tips can also be submitted online at www.charlescountycrimesolvers.com or by using the P3Intel mobile app.
UPDATE – 10/5/2020 @ 11:00 P.M: The Charles County Sheriff’s Office is announcing an increase in the reward relating to the murder of Lynn Marie Maher, a cashier at the 7-Eleven on Middletown Road in Waldorf who was shot and killed on October 1 during an armed robbery.
With the assistance of the FBI ($15,000), 7-Eleven ($10,000), and Charles County Crime Solvers ($2,500), the reward has been increased to up to $27,500 for information leading to the arrest and indictment of the suspect.
As detectives vigorously pursue leads, they are urging people who have information about this case to contact them at (301) 609-6474. They are also evaluating the surveillance camera footage and, due to investigative reasons, are not releasing any footage at this time.
Further, for those who do have information but want to remain anonymous, they may contact Charles County Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-TIPS.
Tips can also be submitted online at www.charlescountycrimesolvers.com or by using the P3Intel mobile app. Det. J. Feldman is investigating.
UPDATE – 2:00 P.M: Police have corrected the prior press release, reporting the victim’s first name is Lynn, not Linda.
On October 1 at 12:50 a.m., officers responded to the 7-Eleven located at 3370 Middletown Road in Waldorf for the report of a shooting.
A preliminary investigation showed a lone male entered the store and approached the clerk. He produced a gun and demanded money.
After obtaining the money, the suspect shot the victim and fled.
The victim, Lynn Marie Maher, 49, of White Plains, died from her injuries on the scene.
The suspect is described as a black male, 5’7” – 5’10” with a slender build. He was wearing a white facemask, a dark-hooded sweatshirt, jeans and dark tennis shoes.
Anyone with information about this case is asked to call Det. 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. Charles County Crime Solvers is offering a cash reward of up to $2,500 and 7-Eleven is offering a reward up to $10,000 leading to the arrest of the suspect.
UPDATE at 6:20 a.m: Police release more information on homicide at 7-Eleven in Waldorf.
The suspect entered the store wearing a surgical mask, hoodie, and jeans. He approached the clerk, produced a gun, demanded money and shot the victim during the robbery. He fled on foot, but it’s not clear if he got into a car later.
Charles County Crime Solvers and 7-Eleven are offering a cash reward totaling up to $11,000. Call 301-932-2222 or Crime Solvers 1-866-411-TIPS.
10/01/2020: On Thursday, October 1, 2020, at 12:52 a.m., police, fire and rescue personnel responded to the 7-Eleven Store located at 3370 Middletown Road in Waldorf, for the reported shooting.
Police arrived on the scene to find an adult female employee with one gunshot wound to the upper body, police declared the victim deceased on the scene.
A male suspect reportedly entered the store armed with a firearm and announced a robbery. The employee appeared to be complying with the demands when the gunman shot her.
The suspect is described as a black male in his 20’s wearing a dark colored sweatshirt/hoodie, with light colored pants and a black belt with blue shoes, and a blue surgical mask. The suspect possibly fled Eastbound on Smallwood Drive West on foot, with a dark colored Nissan Maxima following the suspect. Witnesses reported hearing at least one gunshot on Smallwood Drive West.
Anyone with information should call 9-1-1 or 301-932-2222.
Updates will be provided when they become available.
