Man Convicted In 2024 Suitland Apartment Building Killing After 2nd Trial

SUITLAND, MD — A Prince George's County jury has convicted a man of first-degree murder in the fatal shooting of a Suitland resident after his first trial ended in a mistrial, prosecutors announced Wednesday.

Prince George's County State's Attorney Tara Jackson said Francis Xavier Holmes Jr., 31, was convicted of first-degree murder, use of a handgun in the commission of a crime of violence and illegal possession of a firearm by a prohibited person in the killing of 30-year-old Brian Michael Speaks.

Holmes faces a maximum sentence of life in prison.

According to prosecutors, Holmes shot and killed Speaks in the hallway of an apartment building in Suitland in November 2024. The conviction followed a second trial after the original proceedings ended in a mistrial.

The Initial Homicide

The fatal shooting occurred on Nov. 15, 2024. Prince George's County police responded to the 3500 block of Parkway Terrace Drive in Suitland around 5:45 p.m. after receiving a report about the shooting.

Officers found Speaks inside the apartment building suffering from gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Detectives later identified Holmes as the alleged shooter and obtained an arrest warrant. Investigators also charged a second person, Marquis Anbaz, 28, as an accessory after the fact. Police said at the time that the shooting appeared to be targeted rather than random.

The State's Attorney's Office did not announce a sentencing date.