A recent shooting in Long Branch Local Park has left a 17-year-old dead and a 21-year-old in critical condition, with two suspects now facing charges linked to this and a previous homicide. The Montgomery County Police Department reported that last Friday, around 9:46 PM, they received a 911 call from one of the victims, and other calls soon followed reporting gunfire at 711 Langley Drive.
Upon arrival, officers found the two victims; Charly Blayner Vail Lucas, who was pronounced dead at the scene, and the older male, whose identity has not been released, who was quickly transported to a nearby hospital and remains in a critical state unfortunate series of event, both shootings appear to be connected – a previous homicide on Aug. 19 took the life of 17-year-old Jaril Verde Murillo on University Boulevard East, with evidence at the scene of the Long Branch Park shooting hinting at a link between the two tragedies.
The ongoing investigation led authorities to execute a search warrant at the residence of Jhony Steve Rosales Castillo, 20, in Silver Spring. The operation yielded the arrest of both Rosales Castillo and Juan Carlos Gutierrez-Hernandez, 18, the recovery of firearms and evidence that ties the suspects to both murder cases; this comes just a day after the Long Branch Park incident, the Major Crimes Division - Homicide Section in coordination with SWAT made their move last Saturday, Sept. 6, as per the Montgomery County Police Department's disclosure.
Rosales Castillo and Gutierrez-Hernandez are now in custody, facing multiple serious charges including two counts of first-degree murder of a minor, one count of attempted first-degree murder, and two counts of possession of a firearm under the age of 21 both suspects are being held pending a bond hearing that's scheduled for Monday, Sept. 8, this step in the legal process could be pivotal in determining the course of their future following these violent events.
