Donnell Fitzgerald Mintz Jr. was a young man remembered for the many memories, both big and small, that he created with his loved ones. A 19-year-old Black / African American man from Laurel, Maryland, he was known to his friends as "D-nell." Those who knew him recalled his unique habits, like the toasted egg, bacon, cheese, and jelly sandwiches he would make every morning before school. He was his mother's only child, her angel and guiding force. A year after his death, his mother wrote, "My memories of you are treasured and locked away in my soul." Friends shared memories of ups and downs, and one recalled him having a crush on her daughter years before, a memory she thought was cute. He was loved, and his absence created a void that friends and family still felt long after he was gone.
On the evening of January 30, 2009, Donnell’s life was cut short in a sudden and tragic incident. At about 6:15 p.m., he was in the 7700 block of Starshine Drive in District Heights, a residential neighborhood in Prince George's County. There, in the company of an acquaintance, Donnell was struck by a single bullet. He sustained a gunshot wound to his upper body. Emergency services were called, and he was rushed to a local hospital for treatment. Despite the efforts of medical staff, Donnell succumbed to his injuries a short time later. His death was one of two unrelated homicides that occurred in Prince George's County within a 24-hour period.
The Prince George's County Police Department handled the investigation. Detectives quickly identified another 19-year-old, Edward Lothorio Towles of Northeast Washington, D.C., as the person responsible for the shooting. According to the police department's preliminary investigation, the shooting was not the result of a dispute. Instead, police stated that Towles had been "playing with a handgun" when the weapon discharged, firing the fatal shot that struck Donnell. The initial findings suggested the act may have been unintentional, a reckless mishap rather than a malicious attack.
Following the investigation, Edward Towles was arrested and taken into custody. He was held in the county jail and initially charged with second-degree murder for his role in Donnell's death. The case then moved through the Maryland court system. While the initial charge was severe, the legal proceedings ultimately resulted in a conviction on a lesser charge. In 2010, court records show that Edward Towles was convicted of involuntary manslaughter. This outcome indicates that the court determined Donnell's death was the result of gross negligence and reckless behavior with a firearm, rather than a premeditated or intentional act to cause harm. Towles' conviction for involuntary manslaughter in 2010 was later referenced in court documents related to a separate, unrelated case in 2015, confirming the legal conclusion to the case.
In the days and weeks following Donnell's death, those who knew him mourned their loss. An online guestbook became a place for friends and family to share their grief and memories. One friend wrote, "i visit this guestbook EVERYDAY cause still its hard to believe yur gone. it will never be the same without yu." Another sent condolences to his family, particularly his mother, acknowledging the immense pain of losing her only child. His mother's message on the first anniversary of his passing expressed her enduring love and the profound sense of her loss: "You were taken away from me too soon. Have peace in knowing that you are not forgotten."
The case of Donnell Mintz Jr.'s death is considered legally closed. The investigation led to the arrest and conviction of the individual responsible, bringing a measure of resolution through the justice system. However, for the family and friends who continue to treasure his memory, the loss remains. They are left with the memories of a young life ended too soon by a senseless act of negligence with a handgun.
