A funeral home owner in Washington, D.C., has been sentenced to prison for the murder of a pallbearer during the burial of a young girl who was tragically killed by a stray bullet. Wilson Wesley Chavis, the 50-year-old owner of Compassion and Serenity Funeral Home, was sentenced to 35 years in prison after being convicted of killing Ronald Steven Banks, a 30-year-old pallbearer and family friend of 10-year-old Arianna Miracle Davis.
The Incident at the Burial
On June 6, 2023, during the burial of Arianna, a girl who had been shot by a stray bullet while returning from a Mother’s Day event, tragedy struck again. Chavis, who had a long-standing dispute with a rival funeral service company, confronted two people associated with this second company. As tensions escalated, Chavis became upset with several funeral attendees and pulled out a gun, shooting Banks, who was carrying Arianna’s casket. Chavis also grazed a cousin of the girl during the shooting.
A Devastating Experience for the Family
The mother of the young girl, Antionette Belk, spoke about the traumatic experience. She expressed her devastation over the violence occurring at her daughter’s burial, saying she didn’t even get the chance to lay her daughter to rest before another tragic incident took place. She described the event as “trauma after trauma” for her and her family.
Adding to the horror of the situation, Chavis reportedly yelled, “I own this body!” and even spat on a pastor present at the scene. After the shooting, Chavis attempted to flee in his vehicle but was soon pulled over by an officer from the Morningside Police Department. He later claimed that he acted in self-defense.
Legal Consequences and Sentencing
Chavis was convicted in February for the murder of Banks, and on Friday, he was sentenced to 35 years in prison. This sentencing comes as a response to the tragic events that unfolded at a moment meant for grief and healing. Prince George’s County State’s Attorney, Tara Jackson, emphasized that the sentence sends a strong message about the community’s intolerance for such violence. She expressed sympathy for the affected families, pledging to hold those responsible for violent acts fully accountable.
Chavis had previously been involved in threats and disputes with the rival funeral home, which resulted in a temporary peace order being filed against him by the president of the other funeral home. Following the shooting, Chavis’s actions sparked an investigation, and he now faces further legal consequences for his violent actions.
A Continued Tragedy for the Victims
Arianna’s death was a heartbreaking incident of a child being caught in the crossfire of gun violence. Her murder, caused by a stray bullet while she was in the backseat of her family’s car, remains unsolved, with three men facing charges for their involvement. The burial of Arianna, meant to be a moment of closure for the family, instead became the site of more violence, leaving the family and community deeply affected by the events.
This tragic incident highlights the devastating consequences of violence, even in the most sacred of places. A funeral, typically a place of mourning and respect, became the site of unnecessary violence, leaving the family of Arianna Miracle Davis with even more pain to bear. The conviction and sentencing of Wilson Wesley Chavis to 35 years in prison offer some justice, but the trauma experienced by the family will last far longer.
