GAITHERSBURG, MD — The Montgomery County Department of Police has taken into custody Nicholas Zavala-Aguilar, a 19-year-old from Germantown, in connection with a shooting that transpired in the 7900 block of Spiceberry Circle on Monday, October 9, 2023. Detectives, having shared surveillance footage from the scene, are appealing to the public for help in identifying other potential suspects.
Officers from the 6th District were dispatched to the reported scene around 9:55 p.m. after receiving reports of gunshots. Preliminary investigations indicate that the suspects approached the location in an unidentified white SUV. As the vehicle navigated through the parking area, a person seated in the front passenger seat fired several shots from inside. The suspects then sped away from the scene.
Thankfully, no one was injured in the incident. However, the firing did damage an apartment and three vehicles situated in the parking lot. Officers recovered shell casings from the scene of the shooting.
Upon examining the surveillance footage, authorities identified the suspects’ vehicle as a white 2019 Jeep Cherokee. This vehicle was later spotted nearby, and as police approached, two individuals alighted and made a run for it.
Zavala-Aguilar, identified as the Jeep’s driver, was later apprehended near Muncaster Mill Road and Norbeck Road. He now faces charges of first-degree assault and reckless endangerment. Currently, he is being held without bond at the Montgomery County Central Processing Unit. Authorities continue their search for the remaining suspects.