Cornelius McDonald

Cornelius "Neal" McDonald, a 33-year-old Black man from Upper Marlboro, Maryland, was a cherished community leader and advocate against gun violence. Known as a father, a mentor, and a positive force, he founded the nonprofit organization "Stay Solid" to support youth and young adults facing mental health challenges. His mission was deeply personal, inspired by the murder of his own brother five years earlier. Family members described him as the "glue and the heartbeat" of their family and a peacemaker who would always try to de-escalate conflict.

In the early morning hours of Saturday, November 30, 2024, McDonald's life was tragically cut short. He was a customer at Jasper's Restaurant in Largo when an argument broke out between him and another man he did not know. The altercation moved from inside the restaurant to the parking lot in the 9600 block of Lottsford Court. At approximately 12:45 a.m., the other man shot McDonald. He was pronounced dead at the scene from his gunshot wounds.

The Prince George's County Police Department investigated the shooting and, through various techniques, quickly identified a suspect. On December 3, 2024, police arrested 35-year-old Terrelle Bailey of Washington, D.C. Bailey was charged with first and second-degree murder and related firearm offenses for the killing of Cornelius McDonald.

Following the arrest, the case proceeded to trial. In September 2026, a Prince George's County jury found Terrelle Bailey, then 37, guilty of second-degree murder and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony. After the verdict, McDonald’s mother, Maria Butler, thanked prosecutors and her support system, stating, "No one, no parent should ever, ever have to bury a child." State’s Attorney Tara H. Jackson remarked on the tragedy of a mother losing two sons to gun violence and noted that the verdict held the person responsible for McDonald's murder accountable.

The death of Cornelius McDonald sent shockwaves through the community, which mourned the loss of a man who had dedicated his life to preventing the kind of violence that ultimately killed him. His family and friends vowed to honor his legacy by continuing the important work of his nonprofit, Stay Solid. As of the conviction in September 2026, the case is closed.