Man charged in fatal new year’s day shooting of rideshare driver in cottage city

COTTAGE CITY, MD — A 21-year-old Virginia man has been charged in connection with the fatal shooting of a rideshare driver in Cottage City on New Year’s Day, according to the Prince George’s County Police Department.

The suspect, Brandon Leonard of Chantilly, VA, is accused of killing 36-year-old Oluwatosin Adetula of Hyattsville. Adetula was shot on January 1, 2025, at approximately 10:40 p.m. in the 3300 block of Bladensburg Road. He was found in a parking lot with gunshot wounds and was transported to a hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries on January 7.

Detectives determined through their investigation that Leonard was the suspect and obtained a warrant for his arrest. The PGPD’s Fugitive Unit, with assistance from the Winchester Police Department, apprehended Leonard in Winchester, VA, on Wednesday. He remains in custody there, awaiting extradition to Prince George’s County.

Investigators believe the motive for the murder was robbery and confirmed that Adetula was working as a rideshare driver at the time of the incident. Leonard has been charged with first- and second-degree murder, among other related charges.

Anyone with information about this case is urged to contact the Prince George’s County Police Department Homicide Unit at 301-516-2512. The investigation remains ongoing.

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Chris Quigley is a Staff Writer and Community News Correspondent for Shore News Network, where she covers local government, public safety, community affairs, politics, and issues impacting residents throughout New Jersey. Her reporting focuses on delivering timely, accurate, and relevant news that helps readers stay informed about the communities in which they live and work.

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Quigley is committed to responsible journalism, emphasizing accuracy, source verification, and transparency in every story she reports. She strives to present information in a clear and accessible manner, helping readers better understand the issues, decisions, and events that impact their daily lives.

Through her work at Shore News Network, Chris Quigley contributes to the organization's mission of providing trusted local news coverage, accountability reporting, and community-focused journalism throughout New Jersey.

Chris Quigley is a graduate of Stockton State University and began her career at IN Jersey, the online news and media branch of the Asbury Park Press. She also worked at Monmouth Internet, the Ocean Signal Newspaper, and JTOWN Magazine during her career in both content management and operations.

Degrees: Business B.A. - Stockton University

Experience and interests: Criminal Justice, Business, Animal Care, Entertainment, Lottery News, Local News