Council Report Shows Homicides, Carjackings Continued to Increase in 2021

A staff report prepared for a County Council briefing scheduled for today (Jan. 18) shows a significant increase in homicides, carjackings and firearm-related violent crime in the county in 2021 compared to 2020. While the report notes that total violent crime decreased almost 13% in 2020 compared to 2019—largely due to COVID-related shutdowns—carjackings were up that year almost 90% and homicides increased 21%.

Recent Shooting Ruled a Homicide; Police Seek Information

Detectives from the Major Crimes Division are investigating a shooting that occurred in Silver Spring on March 3 that has now been ruled a homicide following the victim’s death. The victim has been identified as Derek James McBrayer, age 40, of Old Georgetown Road in Bethesda. The shooting occurred in the 1000 block of Quebec Terrace, and officers responded to a report of the incident at about 5:39 p.m.