News Releases

Three Teenagers Charged in Connection With Bethesda Homicide

For Immediate Release: Wednesday, December 22, 2021

Gaithersburg, MD - Detectives from the Montgomery County Police – Major Crimes Division, Homicide Section have arrested and charged two juveniles and an 18-year-old with first degree murder, armed robbery, and conspiracy to commit robbery, following the death of a 33-year-old male in Bethesda.

16-year-old Antonio Lawrence, 17-year-old Joshua Wright, and 18-year-old Blaise Uchemadu, all from Bethesda, are accused of killing 33-year-old Lawrence Richard Wilson, Jr. on Sunday, December 19, 2021.

On Monday, December 20, a caller contacted the Second District Station to report that they had information regarding the stabbing death of a man at the Target on Wisconsin Avenue in Bethesda.
Later the same day, Joshua Wright arrived at the Second District Station to report that he witnessed the stabbing at the Target.

At approximately 8:15 p.m. Monday evening, Second District officers responded on scene and located an adult male in a stairwell with trauma to his body. 

Wright agreed to speak with Major Crimes detectives and gave statements that identified Lawrence and Uchemadu. Based on evidence discovered during the investigation, detectives were able to connect the suspects to the homicide and warrants were obtained for Uchemadu and Lawrence.

Wright was transported to the Central Processing Unit (CPU) and charged via Statement of Charges.

Lawrence and Uchemadu were arrested by the Montgomery County Repeat Offender Unit and transported to Major Crimes to be interviewed, where both made admissions of their involvement and actions related to the robbery and stabbing of Wilson, Jr.

All three suspects are being held at CPU without bond.

This is an active and ongoing investigation. Anyone with information regarding this crime is asked to contact the Montgomery County Police Major Crimes Division at 240-773-5070 or call 240-773-TIPS.

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Release ID: 21-512
Media Contact: S.D. Goff 
Categories: homicide