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Three Suspects Charged for Ellsworth Drive Shooting

For Immediate Release: Thursday, February 6, 2020

Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – 3rd District Investigative Section have charged three suspects for the shooting that occurred at approximately 5:50 p.m. on January 5 on Ellsworth Drive in Silver Spring.  Detectives believe that the two groups involved in this incident were known to one another.

The three suspects charged are:

  • Elias Salmeron, age 16, of Washington, D.C. - Charged as an adult
  • Bryan Santos, age 20, of Washington, D.C.
  • Brayan Josue Villatoro, age 15, of Washington, D.C. - Charged as an adult
During the investigation, detectives obtained several videos from area surveillance cameras.  The video captured the suspects' vehicle tags which led detectives to the identification of Villatoro as one of the suspects.  The two additional suspects were identified with the assistance of Metropolitan Police Department detectives.  The video also captured Santos shooting a handgun multiple times in the direction of the victims and bystanders.

Warrants were issued for the three suspects, charging them with multiple crimes to include three counts of attempted first-degree murder, reckless endangerment, and firearm-related offenses.

Santos was arrested on January 31 and Villatoro was arrested on February 3.  Both were transported to the Central Processing Unit and are being held without bond.  Salmeron was arrested yesterday in Washington, D.C., and is awaiting extradition to Montgomery County.

*Photographs of juvenile suspects are not released.
Bryan SantosBryan Santos (Original Image)


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Release ID: 20-066
Media Contact: Rebecca Innocenti 
Categories: shooting