A Maryland man, Domonique Scott Hayes, lost his life on Wednesday, January 10, due to a simple dispute that developed into a fatal confrontation. The incident occurred at a townhouse on Perrywood Lane in Springdale, Maryland, and shocked the community. Dominic was only 27 years old at the time of his death.
Now, 38-year-old Springdale resident Richard Pino — the alleged perpetrator — faces manslaughter charges in connection with the death of Domonique Scott Hayes. However, Pino claims he acted in self-defense.
The fight reportedly broke out over a dispute over the remote control. According to court documents, police were called to the home around 12:30 p.m. last Wednesday after reports of a shooting. However, investigators believe the incident occurred hours earlier, at around 5.30am.
Details emerge in the fatal shooting of Domonique Scott Hayes
Prince George's County Police responded to the incident around 12:30 p.m. Wednesday. Preliminary findings indicate that Richard Pino, 38, shot and killed his roommate during a dispute inside their Springdale home.
Upon arrival, officers discovered Scott Hayes inside the residence, succumbing to his injuries. Despite quick intervention, Domonique Scott Hayes was pronounced dead at the scene.
The preliminary investigation, as revealed by the police statement, indicates a fatal dispute that escalated between Pino and Scott Hayes. The details, obtained from FOX 5 DC documents, claim Pino called police about six hours after the shooting, which occurred in the early hours of 5:30 a.m. to 6 a.m.
In his account to law enforcement, Pino claimed that Scott Hayes confronted him with knives. The situation allegedly arose when Scott Hayes woke Pino, who was asleep on the couch, “making a lot of noise” in the kitchen.
According to court documents obtained by Washington, D.C., NBC affiliate WRC and Fox affiliate WTTG, Dominic Scott Hayes repeatedly asked his roommate, Richard Pino, about the location of the remote control.
Ignoring the investigation, Pino, who was wearing a blanket over his head, removed the blanket and allegedly saw Scott Hayes holding knives. Suddenly responding, Pino allegedly grabbed his gun and began shooting before retreating to his room on the third floor. Police later discovered several bullet holes leading into Scott Hayes' bedroom.
Pino claims he did not realize Dominique Scott Hayes was hit and assumed none of the bullets hit him. He reportedly went back to sleep after the violent confrontation.
The subsequent period reportedly saw Pino leaving the scene, visiting a marijuana dispensary in D.C., a tobacco shop in Landover, and then returning home to smoke marijuana. Only after calling his friends, who urged him to call 911, did Pino report the incident to police.
In an interview, the family of Domonique Scott Hayes spoke candidly about the devastating loss. The victim's mother, Monique Scott, expressed the family's disbelief, revealing that they recently celebrated Domonique Scott Hayes' birthday on Monday, January 8.
According to WRC, there were no signs of trouble during the celebration, making the sudden tragedy even more difficult for the grieving family to digest.
Monique Scott Hayes, Domonique Scott Hayes' sister, called him one of the funniest men she knew.
Prince George's County records reveal they have charged 38-year-old Richard Pino, the alleged perpetrator, with manslaughter, first-degree assault, second-degree assault, and possession of a firearm.
