Maryland Murder-Suicide: Man Fatally Shoots Girlfriend's Relative, Injures Another Woman Before Killing Himself

In a case of murder-suicide, a man fatally shot his girlfriend’s relative, wounded another woman before killing himself at a home in Lanham, Maryland, on Friday (May 8).

According to local reports, officers responded to the home around 11.15 p.m. after receiving a shooting report. The officers found a man, later identified as 54-year-old Kevin Darryl Ballard, lying in a pool of blood with a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The officers then found a woman, 23-year-old Tai Hilliard, with a gunshot wound. Both of them were pronounced dead at the scene.

Another unidentified woman was also found with a gunshot wound. She was rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment. She remained hospitalized but her condition was not known.

Investigation revealed that Ballard shot and killed Hilliard, wounded the other woman before turning the weapon on himself. It was also revealed that the suspect was in a relationship with Hilliard’s relative. All of them lived in the same home where the shooting incident took place.

Police have asked anyone with information on the case to contact the homicide unit at 301-516-2512. Those wishing to remain anonymous may call Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477). They can also go online at www.pgcrimesolvers.com, or use the “P3 Tips” mobile app.” Investigation into the incident was ongoing and police were investigating the circumstances that led to the fatal shooting.

The incident comes days after a man shot his ex-girlfriend at her home in Maryland before shooting himself in his car. Officers responded to 7200 block of Chippenham Place after receiving a report of gunfire. The officers found a woman, later identified as 30-year-old Marlen Xioma Maldonado-Caceres, lying on the ground shot. She was rushed to a local hospital where she succumbed to injuries.

The woman’s ex-boyfriend was found in a vehicle a short distance from the victim’s home suffering from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. He was hospitalized in a serious condition. Investigation revealed that the man shot his girlfriend before shooting himself inside his car. The circumstances that led to the incident were being investigated and the identity of the man was not revealed.

If you have thoughts of suicide, confidential help is available for free at the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Call 1-800-273-8255. The line is available 24 hours, every day.