Jayson David Pressley, 38, of Lexington Park
UPDATE 1/8/2025: Jayson D. Pressley, 38, of Lexington Park, has been charged with first-degree murder, second-degree murder, and use of a firearm in a violent crime following a fatal shooting on January 3, 2025.
The victim, identified as Chaquanda Odom, 36, was found deceased with multiple gunshot wounds inside a vehicle in Lexington Park. Pressley, the ex-husband of the victim, later turned himself in to authorities, according to police.
According to the statement of probable cause, Pressley arrived at the St. Mary’s County Detention Center on the same day and informed authorities that he wanted to turn himself in for a murder he had committed.
During an interview with Maryland State Police, Pressley admitted to meeting Odom in the parking lot near his residence at 21613 Liberty Street. He stated he had arranged to meet her to deliver a $22,000 check following a court decision.
Pressley recounted that Odom remained seated in her vehicle while he stood outside, speaking to her through the open driver’s-side window. At some point during the conversation, he fired his gun twice at Odom. Pressley then briefly returned to his residence before driving himself to the detention center to surrender.
When questioned about his firearm, Pressley stated that he usually kept it locked in a safe at his home and denied carrying it regularly. However, when asked why he brought the firearm to the meeting, he declined to answer.
When investigators inquired about Odom’s last words, Pressley replied that she said, “You better not.”
The victim, Chaquanda Odom, was found inside her vehicle at the Liberty Street location, suffering from gunshot wounds to the head and upper body. Law enforcement discovered a loaded Hi-Point 9mm handgun in the center console of Pressley’s vehicle, which had a magazine missing two rounds.
Investigators also found two spent 9mm cartridge casings in Odom’s vehicle, suggesting that the firearm had been inside her vehicle during the shooting.
Pressley has been charged with the following:
- First-Degree Murder (Felony): Intentional, deliberate, and premeditated killing.
- Second-Degree Murder (Felony): Killing with malice but without premeditation.
- Use of a Firearm in the Commission of a Felony (Misdemeanor): Employing a firearm during a violent crime.
Pressley is currently being held without bond. A bail review hearing is scheduled for January 8, 2025, at the St. Mary’s District Court. A preliminary hearing is set for January 28, 2025.
UPDATE 1/4/2025: The victim has been identified as Chaquanda Latise Odom, 36, of California, Maryland. She was pronounced deceased at the scene by emergency medical services.
UPDATE 1/4/2025: A woman in her thirties was fatally shot on Friday, January 3, 2025, in Lexington Park, following a 911 call reporting a vehicle collision and a gunshot victim. The suspect, identified as 38-year-old Jayson David Pressley of Lexington Park, later surrendered to authorities.
At approximately 11:10 a.m., the St. Mary’s County 911 Center received a report of a car crash involving a gunshot victim in the 21000 block of Liberty Street. Officers from the Maryland State Police Leonardtown Barrack and the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene, where they discovered a woman inside a vehicle suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.
Officers removed the victim from the car and attempted life-saving measures, including CPR. Tragically, she was pronounced dead at the scene a few minutes later.
Someone from the victim’s residence in California, Maryland, contacted 911 to report the incident. They informed dispatchers that the firearm was empty. Jayson David Pressley drove himself to the St. Mary’s County Detention Center in Leonardtown, where he surrendered to law enforcement.
Police responded to the detention center and took Pressley into custody. He was subsequently transported to the Leonardtown Barrack for questioning.
Court records indicate that Pressley and the victim had recently finalized their divorce. Authorities have withheld the victim’s identity pending further investigation.
Pressley has been formally charged with the following offenses:
- First-Degree Murder (Felony)
- Second-Degree Murder (Felony)
- Firearm Use in a Felony or Violent Crime (Misdemeanor)
The investigation is ongoing and is being handled by the Maryland State Police. At least one federal agent from the Department of Homeland Security Naval Criminal Investigative Service also responded to the scene.
The St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office released a facebook post that stated the following:
Police responded to the 21000 block of Liberty Street in Lexington Park for a vehicle accident involving a shooting victim, and a subject has been taken into custody in Leonardtown in connection with this incident. They also indicated that there is no ongoing threat to the public.
1/3/2025: On Friday, January 3, 2025, at 11:10 a.m., police, firefighters and emergency medical services responded to the 21000 block of Liberty Street in Lexington Park, for the reported gunshot victim and motor vehicle collision.
Crews arrived on the scene to find one victim in a sedan that had struck a residential mailbox and an unoccupied vehicle, the operator of the vehicle was found unresponsive and suffering multiple gunshot wounds.
Police officers performed CPR until the arrival of Fire and Rescue where the victim was pronounced deceased.
No other known injuries have been reported.
Police are investigating the homicide and updates will be provided when they become available.
