Christopher Parsley, 19, Killed in Centreville House Party Shooting on June 1, 2025; Two Others Injured as Small Maryland Town Faces Tragic Wake-Up Call

CENTREVILLE, MARYLAND — The town of Centreville is grieving the tragic death of Christopher Parsley, a 19-year-old resident whose life was cut short during a deadly shooting that occurred at a house party in the early morning hours of Sunday, June 1, 2025. The incident, which unfolded at a residence in the 1500 block of Centreville Road, also left two others injured and has shaken this small Eastern Shore community to its core.

Authorities from the Queen Anne’s County Sheriff’s Office responded to multiple 911 calls reporting gunfire just after 1:15 a.m., arriving to find a chaotic scene. Inside the home, deputies discovered three victims with gunshot wounds. Despite immediate life-saving efforts, Christopher Parsley was pronounced dead at the scene. The two surviving victims were transported to nearby hospitals, where they remain under critical care.

The shooting is now the focus of an intensive investigation, with police working around the clock to determine what led to the violence and who was responsible.

A Promising Life Lost

Christopher Parsley was more than just a name on a police report. Friends, neighbors, and former classmates describe him as kind, driven, and full of hope for the future. A 2023 graduate of Queen Anne’s County High School, Christopher had been working part-time while preparing to enroll in trade school, hoping to build a career in the auto and mechanical field.

“He was always fixing things, helping people out, trying to make something of himself,” said a friend who knew Christopher from school. “He had big dreams. He was going places.”

Family members shared that Christopher had recently celebrated his 19th birthday. He was the youngest of three siblings and was especially close with his grandmother, who had helped raise him.

“He had so much potential,” said Angela Parsley, Christopher’s mother, in a statement. “He had a good heart. He didn’t deserve this. None of this should have happened.”

The Party That Turned Violent

The house party where the shooting occurred was reportedly attended by more than 50 people, many of them teens and young adults from Centreville and nearby towns. According to eyewitnesses, the night began peacefully with music and socializing, but tensions began to escalate in the early hours.

“There were arguments earlier in the night—people were pushing and yelling,” said one attendee who requested anonymity. “It was getting heated, but no one thought it would turn deadly.”

Gunfire broke out shortly after 1 a.m. The shooter fled the scene before police arrived, and no arrests have been made as of June 4. Investigators are reviewing social media footage and security cameras from neighboring properties, and have issued a call for witnesses to come forward.

Sheriff Gary Hofmann confirmed that several individuals have been interviewed, and authorities are working with both state and federal agencies to track down leads. While police have not confirmed a motive, they have stated that the shooting was not random.

Two Others Injured

In addition to Christopher’s death, two other individuals were shot during the incident. Due to the ongoing investigation and concerns for their safety, their names have not been released. Both victims remain hospitalized in serious condition, and authorities have not disclosed whether they are cooperating with the investigation.

Family members of the surviving victims have asked for privacy but shared that both are expected to undergo additional surgeries in the coming days.

Community in Mourning

The Centreville community has been left in disbelief. Located in Queen Anne’s County on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, Centreville is a town of just over 4,000 people where acts of violence are rare. Local schools, churches, and community organizations have offered counseling services and support to those affected by the tragedy.

On Tuesday evening, more than 300 people gathered at the Queen Anne’s County Courthouse lawn for a candlelight vigil in Christopher’s memory. His former teachers spoke about his dedication in class. His football coach remembered his drive and teamwork. Friends shared stories of his laughter, his generosity, and the everyday kindnesses that left a lasting impression.

Many attendees wore black and blue, Christopher’s high school colors, and carried signs calling for peace, unity, and justice.

“He wasn’t just a victim,” said Rev. Samuel Greene, who led the vigil. “He was a son, a brother, a friend, and a dreamer. And tonight, we remember him for who he was—not how he died.”

A Community Demands Change

Christopher’s death has triggered an outpouring of grief—and rising frustration over the growing presence of guns among teens and young adults in rural areas. Though Centreville is far from the urban centers often associated with gun violence, residents say this tragedy proves that no place is immune.

“This could have happened to anyone’s child,” said Monique Harris, a local mother who spoke at the vigil. “It shouldn’t take a funeral for people to care about what’s going on.”

Calls for legislative change are growing louder. Local activists are petitioning for increased gun safety education in Queen Anne’s County schools, stricter enforcement of underage firearm possession laws, and the creation of community conflict resolution programs.

Some residents are also asking for more proactive engagement from local law enforcement and elected officials. County Commissioner Rachel Cole promised a town hall next week to hear concerns and outline steps for safer youth engagement.

The Investigation Continues

As of this writing, the Queen Anne’s County Sheriff’s Office is actively seeking tips from anyone who may have information about the shooting. Authorities are particularly interested in cellphone video or social media posts from that night that might provide additional clues.

“We believe people out there know more than they’re saying,” Sheriff Hofmann said. “We are committed to finding the person responsible. Christopher’s family—and this community—deserve justice.”

Police have established a dedicated hotline and tip line for anonymous leads. Rewards are being considered for information that leads to an arrest.

Honoring Christopher’s Legacy

A GoFundMe campaign created by Christopher’s cousin has raised more than $35,000 to assist with funeral expenses and to help establish a memorial scholarship in his name. The scholarship, once launched, will provide support for local students pursuing trade education—something Christopher was passionate about.

Funeral services will be held at Fellows, Helfenbein & Newnam Funeral Home on Monday, June 9, 2025, at 11:00 a.m., with a public viewing the night before. Burial will follow at Chesterfield Cemetery.

His obituary reads simply: “Christopher was a helper, a builder, a friend. He believed in hard work and second chances. His time was too short, but his impact was real.”

Conclusion

Christopher Parsley’s death has left an indelible mark on Centreville—a town now grappling with loss, anger, and the sobering reality that even a tight-knit rural community is not insulated from the dangers of gun violence.

His name will be remembered not just as a victim of a tragic shooting, but as a young man full of promise, whose life was stolen before it truly began.

As the investigation moves forward and his family prepares to lay him to rest, the people of Centreville are united in one shared demand: no more lost lives, no more shattered families, and no more silence.

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