News Releases

For Immediate Release: Wednesday, October 11, 2023

Gaithersburg, MD – Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – 6th District Investigative Section have arrested 19-year-old Nicholas Zavala-Aguilar of Germantown and charged him with the residential shooting that occurred on Monday, October 9, 2023, in the 7900 block of Spiceberry Circle in Gaithersburg. Detectives have released surveillance video of the shooting and are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying additional suspects.

At approximately 9:55 p.m., 6th District officers responded to the location for the report of shots fired.

The investigation has revealed that the suspects arrived at the location in an unknown model white SUV. While the vehicle was traveling in the parking lot, the front passenger fired multiple rounds from the vehicle. The suspects then drove away and left the scene.

No injuries were reported. The gunfire struck one apartment and three vehicles in the parking lot. Shell casings were recovered from the scene.

While on scene, officers reviewed surveillance footage of the shooting and determined the suspects' vehicle to be a white 2019 Jeep Cherokee. The suspects' vehicle was located in the area before two suspects exited the vehicle and fled on foot.

The driver of the Jeep, later identified as Zavala-Aguilar, was subsequently arrested in the area of Muncaster Mill Road and Norbeck Road and transported to the Montgomery County Central Processing Unit, where he was charged with first-degree assault and reckless endangerment. He is being held without bond.

Anyone with information regarding these additional suspects or this crime is asked to visit the Crime Solvers of Montgomery County, MD website at www.crimesolversmcmd.org and click on the “www.p3tips.com” link at the top of the page or call 1-866-411-8477. A reward of up to $10,000 is being offered for information that leads to the arrest of the other suspects. Tips may remain anonymous.