Two young men are in custody following the shooting death of one teenager and the critical injuring of another Friday night in Long Branch Local Park.
Montgomery County Police and Maryland-National Capital Park Police arrived at the scene at 9:46 p.m. after receiving multiple calls from residents who reported hearing gunfire.
When police officers arrived, they found two males suffering from gunshot wounds near the rear of a basketball court in the playground area.
Charly Blayner Vail Lucas, 17, of Silver Spring, was pronounced dead at the scene, according to Montgomery County police. A 21-year-old male was taken to the hospital, where he was listed in critical condition Sunday night.
Following an investigation, police believe the shooting “was possibly connected to a homicide” Aug. 19 in which 17-year-old Jaril Verde Murillo was shot and killed on University Boulevard East.
Police executed a warrant Saturday at the residence of Jhony Steve Rosales Castillo, 20, of 11th Avenue in Silver Spring. Castillo, as well as 18-year-old Juan Carlos Gutierrez-Hernandez were arrested after police located firearms and additional evidence linking the suspects to both homicides.
Both Rosales Castillo and Gutierrez-Hernandez were transported to the Montgomery County Central Processing Unit, where they have been charged with two counts of first-degree murder of a minor victim, one count of attempted first-degree murder, and two counts of possession of a firearm under the age of 21.
Third District Police Commander Jason Cokinos praised officers on social media for their “Quick and dedicated work.”
He added, “These arrests close two homicides within the same area of Silver Spring (University Blvd and Piney Branch area). These armed & dangerous suspects being removed from the streets will hopefully return the community to a safer level.”
Jhony Steve Rosales Castillo
Juan Carlos Gutierrez-Hernandez
Quick and dedicated work by your @mcpnews officers, analysts, and detectives making arrests in these two violent incidents (see below press release).
These arrests close two homicides within the same area of Silver Spring (University Blvd and Piney Branch area).
These armed &… https://t.co/VaOv080tl3
— MCPD 3D Commander (@MCPD3DCommander) September 7, 2025
