Mother Pleads For Information In Amber Stanley's Murder

Prince George's County Police have enlisted the help of the FBI as they continue to search for a suspect and a motive for the home invasion and murder of 17-year-old honor student Amber Stanley.

Just after 10:20 p.m. Aug. 22, a gunman kicked in the front door to Amber's family's house, located in the normally quiet community of Kettering in Upper Marlboro.

The killer then walked into Stanley's bedroom as she lay in her bed listening to music, and shot and killed her. Three other people in the house, including a foster child, escaped unharmed. The foster child has since been removed from the home.

At a community meeting held at the Kettering Association Building, Prince George's homicide detectives told a packed room of concerned citizens that this was not a random act of violence.

"At this point we believe that that particular house was targeted," said Deputy Chief Craig Howard. "And we have no other information now to lead us to believe otherwise."

Prior to Amber's killing, there had been only two violent crimes in the neighborhood in the past year.

"If you know anything, please help us because it could be anybody's daughter," said the slain teenager's mother, Irma Gaither.

Gaither shook hands with everyone in the room before the meeting started, thanking them for coming and pleading for anyone with information on her daughter's murderer to come forward. 

"I'm at a loss. I hope this is a horrible dream," said Gaither. "It's been really tough …  really tough."

Police believe the suspect may have gotten away on foot. They are offering a $25,000 reward for clues that lead to the suspects arrest. Anyone with information is asked to call the Crime Solvers anonymous tip line at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477).