News Releases

Three Suspects Arrested for Possession of Handgun while Officers Investigate a Shooting in Downtown Silver Spring Area?

For Immediate Release: Friday, October 30, 2020

Officers from the Montgomery County Department of Police – 3rd District arrested Emanuel Leyton Picon (age 19) of Bladensburg, MD, Jason Baiza (age 18) of Washington, DC, and Azriel Echavarria (age 18) of Washington, DC with possession of a handgun in the downtown Silver Spring area.  ?? 

On Thursday, October 29, at approximately 8:44 p.m., 3rd District officers responded to the Veterans Plaza area for the report of a shooting.  The Emergency Communication Center (ECC) received multiple calls about the shooting and received a description of three suspects fleeing the area.   

Officers from the 3rd District Special Assignment Team responded to the area and observed a group of three subjects matching the physical and clothing description provided by ECC fleeing into the Ellsworth Parking Garage.  Other 3rd District officers also responded to the area to assist.  When a uniformed officer tried to stop the three subjects, they fled from the officer on foot.  After a short foot pursuit, all three subjects were apprehended in the area of Spring Street and Cameron Street.  Echavarria was in possession of a handgun.  A second handgun was located along the path Leyton Picon and Baiza ran and next to Leyton Picon.  Suspected controlled dangerous substances were located on Echavarria and Leyton Picon as well.   

Detectives from the 3rd District Investigative Section and the Firearms Investigative Section responded to the scene to assist with the investigation.  The investigation determined that all three subjects were prohibited from possessing a handgun due to prior criminal convictions.   

Echavarria, Leyton Picon, and Baiza were transported to the Central Processing Unit and charged with possession of a firearm and other related violations.  Leyton Picon and Baiza were released from custody on bond.  Echavarria remains in custody.  

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Release ID: 20-430
Media Contact: mcpnews 
Categories: firearm, shots-fired