Teen Conspirator in Rockville Metro Shooting Gets 20 Years

Tavares Harris was sentenced Friday to 20 years in prison for his role in the Rockville Metro shooting that wounded two people in May 2012.

Harris, 18, provided the gun that his friend Kevin Nguyen used to shoot Jared Cannon—the intended target—and Wasima Gary, an innocent bystander.

Nguyen, the 17-year-old triggerman, was sentenced to 25 years.

Before delivering her sentence, Montgomery County Circuit Court Judge Mary Beth McCormick said Harris was the “mastermind” and “instigator.”

“In my view, your acts are as culpable or more than Kevin’s,” McCormick said. “It crossed my mind that you should serve more time than Kevin, but that wouldn't be right because in the end Kevin did pull the trigger.”

Prosecutors said the shooting stemmed from an after-school fight at Richard Montgomery High School that involved Nguyen and Cannon. After the fight, Cannon said he planned to rob Nguyen, according court records.

In retaliation, Harris told Nguyen to meet him on a path behind the school, where he gave Nguyen a loaded gun, which he had stolen from a neighbor, according to court records.

On May 18, 2012, Nguyen tracked down and shot Cannon in the pedestrian tunnel. Cannon, who was 16 at the time, and a female bystander, Wasima Gary, who was 19, were wounded, according to court records.

The State's Attorney's Office released on Friday footage of surveillance footage of the  Metro shooting.

Cannon’s mother, Sheila Rowley said her son still has nightmares from that day. She said the boys were friends and hung out in the same circles.

“I’m happy,” Rowley said about the trial. “I feel it was a just sentence.”

Toward the end of the proceedings, Harris apologized to the victims and to their families. He said he was an aspiring rapper who set his hopes on achieving a successful music career, according to court testimony.

Harris, Nguyen and their friends posted a rap video on YouTube with Harris flashing the same gun prior to the shooting. There were also Tweets sent, alluding to a confrontation with Cannon, according to court testimony.

Harris said he was only putting on the appearance of living a gangster lifestyle—the videos and the Tweets were an extension of what he called “pretending.” But Harris said he felt embarrassed after prosecutors played his rap video and showed photos of him with stacks of money and the gun used in the Metro shooting.  

“I want to apologize to my mom,” Harris said.

His mother, Donna Harris, testified in court that she was aware her son wanted to be a rapper but she said she didn’t know about the YouTube video and the violent message in his lyrics.

She said her son grew up in a chaotic environment, but was showing positive signs.

“Have mercy on my son today,” Donna Harris pleaded, in tears.

While incarcerated, Harris finished high school with straight ‘As’, according to defense attorney David Martella. His mother said he planned to go to Montgomery College upon his release.

His mother declined to comment on the sentence after Friday’s proceedings.

Defense attorneys Martella and Barry Helfand said they will file for the judge to reconsider the sentence.

Speaking on behalf of prosecutors Marybeth Ayres and Patrick Mays, Assistant State’s Attorney John Maloney said the judge’s ruling sent the right message.

“If you are part of a group that wants to engage in this type of violent activity, whether you're the shooter or the person who just encourages it, you will end up in jail and you'll end up in jail for a very long time." Maloney said.

The state's attorney's office is still considering whether to file separate charges against Harris for the shooting of bystander Wasima Gary.

“That determination will be made in the next week or so,” Maloney said.