After drug deal at Silver Spring Days Inn goes bad, two arrested for homicide

Ruben Ortiz

Two alleged drug dealers who offered to sell Sulaiman Jalloh of Bowie pot at the Silver Spring Metro station Saturday night are now in police custody, charged with killing him Sunday morning at the Days Inn in downtown Silver Spring. Ruben Ortiz, 20, of the 2000 block of Erie Street in Adelphi, and Shanee Collette Cox, 19, of the 2200 block of Georgian Woods Place in Wheaton, have each been charged with 1st degree murder and armed robbery. Both were arrested around 10:00 PM on Sunday at Ortiz's residence.

Shanee Collette Cox

Detectives say they were told by the two suspects that, upon arriving at the Days Inn to sell Jalloh the marijuana at 11:00 PM Saturday, Jalloh allegedly proceeded to rob Ortiz of cash and his shoes. Ortiz then returned to the hotel later with a posse, and demanded Jalloh return the cash and shoes. Jalloh complied, and the group left. Then, just prior to 2:30 AM Sunday morning, Jalloh came out of his room to the Days Inn parking lot. There, he allegedly was jumped by a group that included Ortiz and Cox, beaten, robbed and stabbed.

Jalloh staggered back to his hotel room and called 911. He was transported by ambulance to a local hospital, where he later died.

A bond review hearing for Ortiz and Cox will be held at 1:00 PM today in Rockville. Detectives are asking for the public's help in identifying other members of the hotel attack posse. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Major Crimes Division at 240.773.5070.  Those who wish to remain anonymous may call Crime Solvers of Montgomery County toll-free at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477).  Crime Solvers will pay a cash reward of up to $10,000 for information provided to them that leads to an arrest in this case.

DRUG ARREST AT DAYS INN, ASPEN HILL ASSAULT + MORE - SILVER SPRING/WHEATON CRIME UPDATE

Here's a roundup of crimes reported across eastern Montgomery County on May 30, according to crime data:

Assault. 1900 block East-West Highway.

Drug arrest. 2100 block Dennis Avenue.

Drug arrest. Days Inn, 8040 13th Street.

Liquor arrest. 11200 block Grandview Avenue.

Assault. Bonifant Street at Dixon Avenue.

Assault/"rape." 8000 block 13th Street.

Drug arrest. Colesville Road at Noyes Drive.

Liquor arrest. 900 block Wayne Avenue.

Drug arrest. 2500 block Blueridge Avenue.

Assault. 13100 block Grenoble Drive (Aspen Hill).

Liquor arrest. 12300 block Georgia Avenue (Glenmont).

Liquor arrest. 8600 block Piney Branch Road.

Theft. 8700 block Arliss Street.

Vehicle burglary. Unit block of Manor Spring Court (Layhill/Bel Pre area).

Assault/"other sexual offense." 600 block University Boulevard E.

Drug arrest. 8800 block Piney Branch Road.