Montgomery County police have released an update in the homicide investigation on Rolling Fork Way, off of Woodfield Rd. in Gaithersburg (near Damascus).
According to MCPD, Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services were dispatched at approximately 7:21pm on Friday, January 2, 2026, to the 23600 block of Rolling Fork Way for a report of a person down. Upon arrival, first responders located the body of an adult male in a parking lot. Police were requested, and the man was pronounced dead at the scene.
Detectives with the Montgomery County Department of Police Major Crimes Division, Homicide Section, responded and are investigating the death as a homicide. At this time, no suspect is in custody, and police say no suspect information is available. The decedent will be transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, where an autopsy will be conducted to determine the cause and manner of death.
Police say a news release will be issued when additional information becomes available, including the victim’s identity after proper notification of next of kin.
1/4 Update: Montgomery County police continue to investigate the homicide of an 18-year-old Gaithersburg man, Taeyon Malachi Prather, whose body was found Friday evening in a parking lot near Damascus.
According to the Montgomery County Department of Police, officers were called to the 23600 block of Rolling Fork Way at approximately 7:21pm on Friday, January 2, 2026, after Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services responded to a report of a person down. First responders located an adult male suffering from an apparent gunshot wound and pronounced him dead at the scene. Fire Rescue then requested police assistance.
Detectives from MCPD’s Major Crimes Division responded and are investigating the case as a homicide. The victim has been identified as 18-year-old Taeyon Malachi Prather of Gaithersburg. An autopsy conducted by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner ruled Prather’s death a homicide.
At this time, police say no suspect is in custody and no suspect information has been released. Detectives are asking anyone with information related to this homicide to contact Crime Solvers of Montgomery County. Tips can be submitted anonymously at crimesolversmcmd.org by clicking “Submit a Tip,” or by calling 1-866-411-TIPS (8477). Tips that lead to an arrest may be eligible for a reward ranging from $250 to $10,000.
