News Releases

Major Crimes Division Investigates Rolling Fork Way Homicide

For Immediate Release: Sunday, January 4, 2026

Gaithersburg, MD — Montgomery County police are investigating the homicide of an 18-year-old Gaithersburg man whose body was found Friday evening in a parking lot on Rolling Fork Way in Gaithersburg.

On Friday, January 2, 2026, at approximately 7:21 p.m., Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services were dispatched to the 23600 block of Rolling Fork Way for a report of a person down. Upon arrival, responders located the body of an adult male suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Fire Rescue requested police response.

Montgomery County Department of Police - Major Crimes Division detectives responded and are investigating the death as a homicide.

The victim has been identified as 18-year-old Taeyon Malachi Prather of Gaithersburg. An autopsy conducted by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner ruled Prather’s death a homicide.

At this time, no suspect is in custody and no suspect information is available.

Detectives are asking anyone with information related to this homicide to contact Crime Solvers of Montgomery County. Tips can be submitted anonymously by visiting crimesolversmcmd.org and clicking “Submit a Tip,” or by calling 1-866-411-TIPS (8477). Tips leading to an arrest may be eligible for a reward ranging from $250 to $10,000.

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Release ID: 26-002
Media Contact: S.D. Goff  
Categories: homicide