A minor disagreement between two roommates over a television remote control escalated into a fatal shooting in Springdale, Maryland.
Richard Bennaugh, a 38-year-old resident of Springdale, now faces manslaughter charges following the fatal shooting of his 27-year-old roommate, Domonique Scott Hayes.
At approximately 12:30 p.m. on January 10, 2024, the Prince George’s County Police Department reacted to a 911 call from Bennaugh stating that he had shot his roommate.
Upon reaching the scene, the 2800 block of Berrywood Lane, law enforcement officers found Hayes in the residence, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was declared dead at the location.
According to charging documents, the disagreement between Bennaugh and Hayes began early in the morning, around 5:30-6:00 a.m., over the location of the household’s television remote.
Bennaugh claimed that Hayes confronted him with two large knives, demanding the remote.
In response, the suspect shot Hayes, who then ran upstairs to his room. Believing that he was not injured, Bennaugh fell back asleep. Later, he left the house to visit a friend, then stopped at a dispensary to purchase $50 worth of marijuana, only to return and clean up the evidence, including casings and bullet holes, before calling 911 to alert authorities more than six hours later.
After consulting with the state’s attorney’s office, Bennaugh was charged with manslaughter and other related offenses. He is being held in custody without bond, awaiting further legal proceedings. His next court appearance is scheduled for February 9.
Local law enforcement urges anyone with information related to this case to come forward and contact their homicide unit.