A 17-year-old was shot and killed in late August less than a half mile from Friday night’s shooting
SILVER SPRING, Md. — Around 10 p.m. Friday, police were called to Long Branch Park for a report of a shooting. When officers arrived, they located two victims. Police tell WUSA9 one victim was taken to the hospital in critical condition, the other died at the scene.
“We don’t have an age of the victims right now,” said Shiera Goff, Public Information Officer with Montgomery County Police. “We do believe that they may be adult males, but right now that’s the information we have.”
Police say one victim was found on the park’s playground, the other right next to it.
Residents that live nearby say this park has been a problem for years.
“It’s a common occurrence to see people doing drugs, drinking like during the day,” said one man who did not want to be identified. “At all times.”
“This is literally our backyard. It’s happening in our backyard in a park that our kids are supposed to be enjoying,” said a mother of two who did not want to be identified. “Many years ago we used to come more often, but now it’s just filled with people who are smoking, drinking and just loitering. We don’t feel safe going there. Therefore, we have to walk ten minutes down to go to a different park.”
Friday night’s fatal shooting comes two and a half weeks after a 17-year-old was shot and killed less than a half mile away.
“No one was caught in that case and now you have this case here where two people were shot and again, they didn’t catch anybody,” said the mother. “It’s like, now what do we do? How do we feel safe as a community?”
“It’s not super uncommon, but it’s never been in our faces like this,” said a concerned resident. “It’s been getting closer and closer which is more concerning for everyone.”
Community members I spoke to would like to see a curfew at the park, more lighting, additional cameras and more of a police presence.
“I think increasing security measures all around that park is going to be very critical in this situation moving forward,” said the concerned mother.
Police haven’t announced any arrests and do not have a suspect description.