PRINCE FREDERICK, MD – A Maryland man could spend the rest of his life imprisoned after pleading guilty to the murder of his girlfriend’s ex-boyfriend, who authorities say was fatally stabbed during an argument about visiting his child.
Thomas Eugene Harris II, 28, admitted to the first-degree premeditated murder of 30-year-old Shaquille Quadry Braxton. The Calvert County Sheriff’s Office reported that the fatal encounter occurred around 10:22 p.m. on February 15, 2024, near Armory Road and Fairgrounds Road.
Deputies arrived on the scene to find Braxton suffering from severe stabbing wounds. Emergency medical responders rushed him to Calvert Health Hospital, where he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival, despite efforts to save his life.
Investigations revealed that Braxton and Harris engaged in a heated confrontation over Braxton’s visit to see his child, whose mother was romantically involved with Harris at the time. The altercation turned deadly when Harris allegedly retrieved a knife and inflicted multiple stab wounds on Braxton before fleeing the scene with his girlfriend and the child to Prince George’s County.
Forensic examinations disclosed that Braxton sustained several stab wounds, including critical injuries to the neck, as well as defensive wounds on his hand. Following the incident, authorities contacted Harris, who agreed to cooperate with the investigation.
In his statement to detectives, after waiving his Miranda rights, Harris claimed he was home on the night of the assault and admitted to attacking Braxton, stating he rendered him unconscious by striking him multiple times in the head. Detectives observed noticeable bruising on Harris’s hands when he was taken into custody.
Harris is scheduled for sentencing on May 1 before Circuit Court Judge Mark S. Chandlee, facing a potential life sentence without parole.
Braxton, a U.S. Army veteran, leaves behind a daughter and is remembered in his obituary for his service.