News Releases

For Immediate Release: Wednesday, September 16, 2015

Detectives from the 3rd District have arrested and charged Donta Labell Pope, age 22, of the 700 block of Sligo Avenue in Silver Spring, with attempted second-degree murder for the September 10 shooting of two victims in Silver Spring.

On September 10 at approximately 9:32 p.m., 3rd District officers responded to the 900 block of University Boulevard East for the report of a shooting. Officers located a 25-year-old male and 40-year-old male each suffering from a gunshot wound. Both wounds were non-life-threatening.

Investigation revealed that Pope, the two victims, and several other acquaintances were socializing in the rear yard of a home on University Boulevard East when an argument began. Pope was asked to leave. Pope then removed a handgun from his waistband and shot several times, striking the two victims. He then fled from the home.

Detectives identified Pope as the suspect and in the early morning hours of September 11, obtained a warrant for his arrest. On September 14, Pope was arrested by Montgomery County police officers in Washington, D.C. on the strength of the arrest warrant. He is currently in custody in D.C. and is awaiting extradition to Montgomery County.

Pope is being charged with two counts of attempted second-degree murder, two counts of first-degree assault, and the use of a firearm in the commission of a felony.

RLG/RLI