News Releases

For Immediate Release: Friday, May 26, 2023

Gaithersburg, MD – Officers from the Montgomery County Department of Police - 5th District Community Action Team have arrested 26-year-old Julio Melendez, of Damascus, on four counts of first-degree assault and four counts of reckless endangerment.

On Friday, May 12, 2023, officers responded to the area of the 7-eleven store in the 12100 block of Snowden Farm Pkwy., for the report of a shooting that just occurred.

The investigation revealed that when Melendez was exiting the store and returning to his vehicle, he began exchanging words with a group of teenagers in front of the store. Once Melendez was inside his vehicle, he produced a pump-action shotgun and pointed it at the teens while making threats. The juveniles dispersed, and Melendez was last seen leaving the area in a black Ford Explorer.

After an extensive search, members of the 5th District Community Action Team observed a suspect matching Melendez's description, driving a black Ford Explorer in a residential neighborhood. Officers made contact with Melendez, and observed a Citadel shotgun, along with a large amount of ammunition in plain view. He was placed into custody.

Melendez was transported to the Central Processing Unit, where he has been charged with four counts of first-degree assault and four counts of reckless endangerment.