Another 17-year-old killed in Long Branch; 2 suspects in custody

Juan Carlos Gutierrez-Hernandez

A shocking series of events this past weekend in the Long Branch area of Silver Spring has left a second 17-year-old dead in as many months in that neighborhood. Montgomery County police detectives even suspect that the two shootings may be related. Last Friday night, September 5, 2025, around 9:46 PM, several people called 911 to report the sound of gunfire in the 700 block of Langley Drive. One person also dialed 911 to report that he had been shot inside Long Branch Local Park.

County police and Maryland National-Capital Park Police converged on the park, and found two males suffering from gunshot wounds. Charly Blayner Vail Lucas, 17, of Silver Spring, tragically was pronounced dead at the scene. A 21-year-old man was transported to a local hospital, where police say he remains in critical condition at this time. 

Jhony Steve Rosales Castillo

Jhony Steve Rosales Castillo, 20, and Juan Carlos Gutierrez-Hernandez, 18, both of Silver Spring, were arrested a short time later. They were each charged with two counts of first-degree murder of a minor victim, one count of attempted first-degree murder, and two counts of possession of a firearm under the age of 21. Initially, a judge ordered both of them held without bond. Detectives say the evidence they've collected connects both suspects to both fatal Long Branch shootings.