Accused Killer Stumbled into Starbucks in Downtown Silver Spring Bleeding and Wanting Help
Gaithersburg, MD – Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – Major Crimes Division report that they have arrested and charged 18-year-old Dakari Thomas, 18, (DOB 04/27/2003) of 1900 Hanover Street, in Silver Spring, Md., for the stabbing death of 19-year-old Getro Banamina.
Police and court documents report that Thomas and Banamina were involved in a physical altercation on the morning of Tuesday, December 7, that escalated to Thomas allegedly stabbing Banamina. The incident occurred at approximately 11:30 a.m. on the 900 block of Ellsworth Dr. in Silver Spring.
When 3rd District officers arrived, they located Thomas, who was suffering from laceration wounds to his hand and arm. Thomas was also in possession of a knife. He advised officers that he was in an altercation with another male who had fled the scene.
Banamina was located in the 8400 block of Fenton St., suffering from a stab wound to his chest area. He was transported to an area hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries.
Based on the initial investigation, detectives from the Silver Spring Investigative Section applied for and received an arrest warrant, charging Thomas with First Degree Assault. Those charges were ultimately changed to First-degree murder upon the death of Banamina.
Thomas will also be charged with one count of attempted escape after he tried to run while he was being led to a police cruiser before being transported to the Central Processing Unit (CPU). Prosecutors said that Thomas got about fifty feet away before being nabbed by officers, showing his intention to flee if granted bail. Thomas’s attorney said he has no job and nowhere to go. District Court Judge Holly Reed ordered Thomas to be held without bond.
Thomas is currently being held without bond at the Montgomery County Jail.
WJLA REPORTER KEVIN LEWIS PROVIDED THIS FROM THE COURTHOUSE:
“There is a video that shows this particular transaction, or at least great portions of it,” Montgomery County State’s Attorney John McCarthy told a group of reporters gathered outside of District Court in Rockville Thursday. “There appeared to be some attempt by the purchaser to smell to determine if it really was marijuana that he was buying.”
That surveillance video allegedly captured Thomas pull out a knife and begin to lunge at Banamina, who authorities say, was unarmed.
“He bladed his feet. He swung the knife at Banamina as Banamina was retreating and then jabbed at Banamina until he was able to force the blade into Banamina and strike Banamina’s vital organs,” Assistant State’s Attorney CJ Herbert stated during Thomas’ bond review hearing.
After allegedly stabbing Banamina in the chest, Thomas — who is 5-foot-8 and 115 pounds — ran into the Starbucks on Ellsworth Drive with cuts to his hands and arms. Staff called 911 but told Thomas, who was bleeding heavily, to drop the knife.
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