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Charles Reynolds, 62, of Silver Spring, has been identified as the victim who was found shot and killed with multiple gunshots at approximately 9 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 21 in the Wayne Avenue Parking Garage.
In a briefing on Thursday, Dec. 22, Montgomery County Police Chief Marcus Jones said that Reynolds had dinner with his family in downtown Silver Spring, when he brought the leftovers back to his car before going out for ice cream at a nearby Ben & Jerry's store.
After dinner, Jones said that there was a short time lapse between when he took the leftovers and went to return to his vehicle in the garage after ice cream when he was attacked by an unknown assailant.
“We have determined that there was an individual (Reynolds) who had been in the stairwell and was severely injured with lots of blood loss,” Jones said. “We believe Reynolds had been shot, but we do not have any suspects at this point and time.”
Third District Montgomery County Department of Police Capt. David McBain said that the agency would be increasing its presence in downtown Silver Spring, specifically mentioning extra foot patrols in and around parking garages.
“Those efforts will continue for the foreseeable future until we can get some answers to this horrific crime," he said. We will continue to divert resources as needed for the remainder of the year and into 2023.”
County Executive Marc Elrich also used the opportunity to discuss installing additional cameras in parts of downtown Silver Springs to both help deter lawlessness and improve the enforcement of those laws.
“This is a really tragic and different from most others when people knew each other. This was a random thing and that's what's most worrisome for people in the community,” he said.
“We’re going to do our best to find the suspect, but we also need to talk about increasing security,” Elrich continued. “Something we can talk about is (cameras) (at the garages), so we can have more opportunity to see who’s coming in and going out.”
Jones said that the department is working with local establishments and other entities that may have surveillance video of the area as they look to identify a suspect, lead, or motive for the murder.
He also made note that it was not a robbery - and Reynolds’ belongings were undisturbed and his vehicle was still in the garage, untouched, it just appears to be a random act of violence.
“We’re asking for the public’s help, so anyone who may have been in downtown Silver Spring around this time last night, or who may have seen someone or something suspicious to contact the Major Crimes Division (by calling (240) 773-5070) to speak with homicide detectives about what they might have seen,” Jones continued.
“What was the motive? We do not know. That’s why we’re asking for the public's help in an attempt to assist us in this part of the investigation.”
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