Approximately three years ago, the Gateway Village senior living complex in the Capitol Heights area was swarmed by numerous law enforcement officials in response to an active-shooter alert. The residents were evacuated as police initiated an extensive search for the assailant.
Subsequently, it was revealed that Roy Batson, a resident of the facility, had fatally shot two employees following a confrontation regarding a violation notice issued by the leasing office.
Roy Batson, aged 65, was recently sentenced to life imprisonment for the murders of Mackeda Evans, 46, from Temple Hills, and Michelle Boateng, 46, from Capitol Heights.
During the sentencing proceedings at the Prince George’s County Circuit Court, family members fondly recalled Evans and Boateng not just as colleagues at the senior living community but as cherished friends who collectively cared for their ten children. The children affectionately referred to each of them as “aunt,” underscoring the profound impact of losing these women.
Judge Krystal Q. Alves, while delivering the life sentence to Batson, emphasized the broader repercussions of his actions on the families of the victims. She highlighted a poignant moment when Evans’s son, overcome with emotion, left the courtroom in tears.
Prosecutor Jonathon Church advocated for a life sentence plus an additional 40 years to be served concurrently. Batson’s defense attorney, Michael Adams, concurred with the proposed sentence but also suggested that Batson be placed in the Patuxent Institution, a Maryland prison known for providing mental health treatment.
Adams posited that mental health issues were a significant contributing factor to Batson’s actions, stating, “It is clear to me that there is a mental health issue that is a major factor.”
Judge Alves acknowledged the growing awareness of mental health challenges, particularly exacerbated by the pandemic, but underscored that it does not excuse criminal behavior, rather provides context.
Addressing Batson directly, Judge Alves asserted, “You are a danger, and you need to be taken away from society. Hopefully, you will get help; this was a soulless act.”
According to official documents, on October 8, 2021, Batson confronted Evans in the office area on the first floor, leading to a fatal altercation. Subsequently, Batson retrieved a firearm from his apartment, returned to the office area, and confessed to shooting and killing both Evans and Boateng.
State’s Attorney Aisha Braveboy expressed a commitment to seeking justice for the victims and decried the tragic loss of innocent lives in a place meant to provide care and support.
The heart-wrenching impact of the incident was palpable as family members shared their victim impact statements in court, reflecting on the irreplaceable void left by the untimely deaths of Evans and Boateng. The narratives underscored the profound loss experienced by the families and the enduring trauma inflicted by the senseless violence.