News Releases

For Immediate Release: Wednesday, July 15, 2015

Montgomery County Police Major Crimes Division Homicide detectives are continuing their investigation into a fatal shooting that occurred last night on the third level of the Wheaton Metro garage located at 11171 Georgia Avenue.

Fourth District officers and Metro Transit Police responded to the report of the sound of multiple shots fired inside the garage. Officers located an adult male suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. He was transported to an area hospital where he was pronounced deceased. The official cause of death will be determined by an autopsy by the Medical Examiner’s Office in Baltimore.

The victim has been identified as Eric Alexander Melgar, age 20, of the 3000 block of Whispering Pines Drive in Silver Spring.

The preliminary investigation developed that the victim had become involved in a confrontation with two suspects inside the garage. One of the suspects produced a handgun and began firing at the victim. The suspects fled from the garage on foot.

Fourth District patrol officers located two individuals in the vicinity who were later determined to be the suspects involved in the shooting incident. A firearm was recovered in the possession of the suspects. Any relationship between the victim and suspects and the nature of the confrontation and motive for the shooting remain under investigation.

Douglas Shannon Chase, age 19, of the 6100 block of 14^th Street NW, District of Columbia, was charged with first-degree murder. He has been identified as the shooter in this incident. Brent Deon Sanderson, age 18, of the 4600 block of West Frankfort Drive in Rockville was also charged with first-degree murder. They are currently being held without bond.

Anyone who has not already spoken with detectives and either witnessed last night’s incident or has any other information that could advance this investigation is asked to call the Major Crimes Division at 240-773-5070. Callers can remain anonymous

###

lehb