In the Circuit Court for Montgomery County, MD, before Judge Christopher Fogleman, a jury found Markus Dowdy, 34, of Silver Spring, guilty of second-degree murder, first-degree assault, two counts of firearm use in a violent crime, illegal firearm possession, and reckless endangerment.
The verdict was delivered on Friday, February 28, 2025. Dowdy faces up to 125 years in prison, with sentencing set for June 13, 2025.
According to the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office, “This stems from an incident on November 4, 2023. Dowdy shot and killed 34-year-old Marvin Jefferson and shot and wounded a second victim at a restaurant in the White Oak Shopping Center located in the 11200 block of New Hampshire Avenue. The incident was captured by surveillance cameras. Video shows Jefferson walk into the restaurant and approach the defendant. The defendant, who has gun in his hand, then begins chasing Jefferson and firing multiple shots.
Through the course of an investigation by Montgomery County Police, the State learned the defendant and victim were involved in an altercation the week prior and Jefferson had punched Dowdy. The State believes the shooting was retaliation for the prior altercation. Dowdy fired multiple shots, hitting Jefferson three times and the other victim once. Dowdy also pistol-whipped Jefferson while he was wounded on the ground. There were several other people inside of the carry-out restaurant at the time, and others immediately outside in the direction of the gunfire. The storefront glass was shattered but no other injuries were reported.”
Assistant State’s Attorneys Kimberly Cissel and Gabriel Carrera are prosecuting this case.
“We express our condolences to the victim’s family following this senseless loss of life. The defendant recklessly fired a handgun in a crowded shopping center in the middle of the day. We’re thankful that Montgomery County Police were able to locate the defendant and thank our prosecution team for securing a conviction that should ensure he is no longer a danger to our community,” said State’s Attorney John McCarthy.
