Police charge man in shooting death of Silver Spring teen
Takoma Park resident allegedly has ties to MS-13 gang
Police on Friday charged a 20-year-old Takoma Park man with alleged ties to a Salvadoran gang in the shooting death of a 14-year-old Silver Spring boy last week on a Ride On bus in the Long Branch neighborhood of Silver Spring.
Montgomery County Police detectives arrested Hector Mauricio Hernandez of the 8600 block of Flower Avenue on a warrant charging him with first-degree murder in the slaying of Tai Lam of the 1000 block of Quebec Terrace. Police believe Hernandez fired shots into the Montgomery County Ride On bus, killing Lam and wounding two other boys, ages 14 and 15, about 11 p.m. at a bus stop near the intersection of Piney Branch Road and Arliss Street.
Police developed Hernandez as a suspect the night of the shooting and determined that he is affiliated with the gang MS-13, according to a news release from county police. Hernandez is being held without bond in the county jail. The investigation is continuing and other arrests may be made, according to the release.
Lam was riding home from downtown Silver Spring Nov. 1 with a group of 10 to 12 friends, when three to four men got on the bus at a Sligo Avenue stop in Silver Spring. Another man, who police say was Hernandez, got on the bus at another stop a short time later.
Lam Cao, Tai Lam's 16-year-old brother, said some of the men were taunting other passengers on the bus. Police say there was a verbal exchange between the men and the group of youths riding with Tai Lam and Lam Cao. As the men were getting off the bus at Piney Branch and Arliss, one of them, who police say was Hernandez, turned and fired several shots into the bus near the rear door, striking three teenagers who were together at the back of the bus.
The youths were taken to the hospital. Two survived, but Tai Lam died of his wound.
Police dogs, detectives and patrol officers began canvassing the neighborhood for suspects and witnesses, said Lt. Paul Starks, a spokesman for Montgomery County Police, last week. Police interviewed about 25 people who were on the bus Saturday during the shooting and recovered a black hooded "Lot 29" sweatshirt with an airbrushed graphic design of from "Marvin the Martian Commanding Tank," that police believe was worn by the shooter.
Friends of Tai Lam gathered with Lam's family members Monday night on Ellsworth Drive in downtown Silver Spring for a vigil held in honor of the popular Montgomery Blair High School freshman.
A funeral reception was scheduled for Saturday at Eastern Middle School in Silver Spring and a community meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday in the auditorium at Blair High, 51 University Blvd. East in Silver Spring, to help youths through the grieving process and address safety and anger in the community.
Police are still investigating the shooting and ask anyone with information to call police at 240-773-5070. Callers may remain anonymous.