Per MCPD: 23-year-old Manuel Alejandro Ayala, of Layhill, has been arrested and charged with a shooting and murder that he allegedly committed on Monday, September 4, 2023.  At approximately 7:54 p.m., 4th District officers and Montgomery County Fire Rescue personnel responded to the 14200 block of Punch St. for the report of a shooting.

Upon arrival, officers located an adult male in the street, suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. He was transported to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. When officers entered a nearby home, they located 65-year-old Rosa Maria Benitez-Ozuna, of Layhill, deceased. Officers also located the suspect’s mother suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. She was transported to an area hospital in serious condition.


Montgomery County Police responded to a shooting in the 14200 block of Punch St (off of Layhill Rd near Bel Pre/Bonifant in Layhill/Silver Spring) on Monday, September 4. According to MCPD, “At approximately 7:40 p.m., 4th District officers and Montgomery County Fire Rescue personnel responded to the 14200 block of Punch St. for the report of a shooting.

Upon arrival, officers located an adult male in the street suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. He was transported to an area hospital, his condition is unknown at this time. Officers went into a residence and located two females suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. One of the females was pronounced deceased. The other female was transported to an area hospital, her condition is unknown at this time.


The Special Victims Investigations Division (SVID) is asking for the public’s assistance in locating Rossy Sis Rossy, a missing 17-year-old. Roast was last seen on Wednesday, August 23, 2023, at her residence in the 14300 block of Georgia Ave. She is 4-feet, 8-inches tall with black hair, brown eyes, and was last seen wearing a red t-shirt, gray pants, white tennis shoes and carrying a Bell medium sized suitcase.

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Rossy Sis Rossy is asked to call Montgomery County Police Non-Emergency (301) 279-8000 (24-hour line).


Update 7:12pm: All lanes of Layhill Rd (MD 182) at Bel Pre Rd have cleared following emergency utility work.

At approximately 6:30am on Friday morning, Montgomery a county Police informed the public that Layhill Rd. is closed at Bel Pre Rd. as the result of a traffic collision. Drivers are advised to seek an alternate route and significant delays are expected. A reader sent in a photo of the collision, which involves an SUV that was driven into a utility pole.


The Special Victims Investigations Division is asking for the public’s assistance in locating Genesis Chavez, a missing 14-year-old from Aspen Hill. Chavez was last seen on Wednesday, August 2, 2023, around 8 p.m., in the 3400 block of Hewitt Avenue in Aspen Hill. She is 5’6″, 140 lbs., with black hair, brown eyes and was last seen wearing a black t-shirt, black shorts with white stripes and green sandals.

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Genesis Chavez is asked to call Montgomery County Police Non-Emergency (301) 279-8000 (24-hour line).


Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) responded to a call on the 12200 block of Centerhill St in Silver Spring on Friday, August 4, for a report of a fire at a two-story duplex with one person trapped inside. Upon arrival, crews confirmed that every occupant made it out of the homes safely.

The fire displaced eight residents, which included five adults, and three children from two residential homes (duplex). Red Cross has supplied immediate assistance while renovations are occurring. How the fire occurred is still under investigation. Yesterday, units from fs718 (Glenmont) are  canvassing the Glenmont Forest neighborhood in the area of the 12200 block of Centerhill St,  going door-to-door and checking/installing smoke alarms. They are also available yo answer any questions residents have on the fire.


Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) responded to a call on the 12200 block of Charles Rd, off of Veirs Mill Rd (near the Korean Korner) at approximately 4:45pm on Saturday, for a tree that fell onto a house and trapped at least some of the occupants.

MCFRS Chief Spokesperson Pete Piringer provided an update stating that there were no injuries and that all 10 occupants are accounted for. The affected families, which include five adults and five children, have been displaced. The Red Cross is assisting. Severe damage was caused across the county due to Saturday’s storm.


Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) responded to a call for a house fire on the 11800blk Goodloe Rd., off Dewey Road, near Viers Mill Elementary School shortly before 11:30 on Tuesday morning. According to MCFRS Chief Spokesperson Pete Piringer, crews arrived to heavy fire conditions.  Two firefighters were treated for non-life threatening injuries and there were no civilian injuries. Damage is estimated to be ~400K and four adults have been displaced.

The origin/cause of the fire is currently under investigation but fire investigators did locate damaged lithium batteries at the scene. We will post an update if additional information becomes available.


Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) responded to a call for a house fire on the 11800blk Goodloe Rd., off Dewey Road, near Viers Mill Elementary School shortly before 11:30 on Tuesday morning.

According to MCFRS Chief Spokesperson Pete Piringer, crews arrived to see the fire showing upon arrival. Many readers have written to us via social media from miles away letting us know that the fire is visible. Piringer tweeted a video from the scene shortly after 12:00pm that showed lots of smoke coming from the home as crews continue to work. The video can be seen below.


The Montgomery County Department of Police – 4th District Investigative Section is looking for a 65-year-old missing from Aspen Hill.

65-year-old David Ways was last seen on Tuesday, July 11, 2023, at approximately 10:30 p.m., leaving his residence on Hewitt Ave. He is 5’4″, 145 lbs, gray hair, and brown eyes and was last seen wearing a dark hooded sweatshirt, khaki pants and black/white Nike shoes. Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of David Ways is asked to call Montgomery County Police Non-Emergency (301) 279-8000 (24-hour line).


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