News Releases

Two in Custody After Germantown Grocery Store Shooting

For Immediate Release: Wednesday, April 1, 2026

Gaithersburg, MD — Two teenagers have been arrested in connection with a shooting inside of a Germantown grocery store.

19-year-old Marcus Isaiah Jovon Braithwaite of Germantown and 16-year-old Demba Tandia of Montgomery Village are both charged with attempted first-degree murder after opening fire inside of the Giant Food store in the 18300 block of Leaman Farm Road.

On March 20, 2026, Braithwaite and Tandia entered the store at approximately 8:40 p.m. About one minute later, the victim walked into the store and the two suspects, both armed, began running through the store, chasing after the victim.

They chased the victim to the front of the store where the store was filled with shoppers and employees and one of the suspects fired several shots at the victim.

Braithwaite and Tandia then left the store after the victim was shot.

Through the course of the investigation, detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police 5th District Investigative Section identified Braithwaite and Tandia as the shooters.

Warrants were requested and obtained on March 21, charging them with attempted first-degree murder, first and second-degree assault, reckless endangerment, and use of a firearm in the commission of a violent crime.

Tandia, who is 16, is charged as an adult. He was arrested on March 25 in Sterling, VA, where he’s awaiting extradition to Montgomery County.

Braithwaite was arrested on March 31, in Germantown and is currently being held at the Montgomery County Central Processing Unit, where he awaits a bond hearing.

To view the surveillance video inside the store, click on the image below.

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Release ID: 26-141
Media Contact: S.D. Goff  
Categories: arrest , shooting