Douglas Washington McKnight, 77, was shot to death in Linkwood, Maryland on Sunday afternoon, October 17, 2021. Deputies found him in the 3700 block of Ocean Gateway and he was pronounced dead at the scene. An autopsy by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Baltimore ruled the death a homicide from multiple injuries.

The Maryland State Police Homicide Unit led the probe. Within days investigators arrested two people. One was the victim’s 50-year-old son, Douglas Lamont McKnight, charged with first- and second-degree murder, robbery and use of a firearm in a violent crime. The other was 43-year-old Octavius Ralphfawn Thomas, charged with first- and second-degree murder, with possible additional charges pending. Both were held at the Dorchester County Detention Center while matters moved forward. The preliminary investigation identified robbery as a motive.

If anyone in Linkwood or the surrounding area saw activity near Ocean Gateway on October 17, or has information about the robbery that led to this killing, please come forward.