Montgomery County Department of Police Major Crimes Division – Homicide Unit detectives have arrested an 18-year-old North Potomac resident in connection with the April 9, 2026, shooting death of 32-year-old Christopher Gove of Gaithersburg.
On Monday, June 29, Montgomery County Department of Police Task Force officers assigned to the U.S. Marshals Fugitive task force arrested Earl Deangelo Charles Jr. in Prince George’s County. On Friday, June 26, detectives obtained an arrest warrant charging Earl Dangelo Charles, Jr. with first-degree murder, use of a firearm in the commission of a crime of violence, and armed carjacking.
The case began on Thursday, April 9, 2026, at approximately 5:55 a.m. Montgomery County police 6th District officers responded to the 12500 block of Carrington Hill Drive in Gaithersburg for the report of a shooting. Officers located Gove inside the residence, suffering from at least one gunshot wound. Montgomery County Fire and Rescue personnel provided lifesaving efforts and transported Gove to an area hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. While at the scene, officers recovered a shell casing in the driveway. Witnesses also reported seeing a black vehicle leaving the area.
Earl Dangelo Charles, Jr.
Shortly afterward, officers responded to the area of Key West Avenue and Darnestown Road for a vehicle collision. Officers located a black Toyota Highlander with the driver’s side door open and no occupants nearby. A registration check revealed the vehicle was registered to Gove’s address on Carrington Hill Drive. Major Crimes Division detectives responded and assumed the investigation. Detectives executed a search warrant on the Toyota and recovered items of evidentiary value.
On Friday, April 10, the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Baltimore determined that Gove died from gunshot wounds and his death was ruled a homicide.
Evidence recovered during the investigation was submitted for forensic testing. On June 15, detectives connected the shell casing recovered at the scene to a firearm recovered in Prince George’s County. Detectives learned Charles had previously been arrested during an investigation where the firearm was recovered.
Through the course of the investigation, detectives connected Charles to the homicide and armed carjacking. He is currently being held at the Montgomery County Task Force Central Processing Unit, pending a bond hearing.
