Md. police make arrest in deadly playground stabbing
SEABROOK, Md. - Police have arrested a man in connection with a deadly stabbing at a Prince George's County elementary school playground, and authorities say the attack appears to have been unprovoked.
Prince George's County spokesman Michael Owen says 24-year-old Douglas Reyes' body was discovered Monday afternoon at a playground near a basketball court at Gaywood Elementary School in Seabrook.
Authorities say Reyes, who suffered stab wounds, was pronounced dead at the scene.
An officer responding to the scene spotted the suspect, 31-year-old Alex Jones, and took him into custody. He is charged with first- and second-degree murder.
Police say the Reyes and Jones did not know each other.
Police say in court documents that Jones confessed to the murder and just six minutes following the initial 911 call, he was taken into custody at a nearby bank.
Reyes' family told FOX 5 the left side of his body was paralyzed following a car accident in his native El Salvador. Ever since then, he has had many difficulties in life and they cannot believe this is exactly how his life ended.
On Tuesday night, hundreds of people gathered at the school to remember Reyes and to offer their support and love to his family. They came out to light candles and to share memories about Reyes.
Reyes' mother said she wants to send a clear message to the person who killed her son.
"All I want justice because and it really hurts," she said. "Only a mother that has been through all this knows what it feels like. I'm not trying to get attention from everybody. I just want justice. That's all I want. That's the only attention I want for my son."