A Silver Spring man was found guilty last week of murder and other charges related to a shooting at a White Oak restaurant in 2023 that left one man dead and another man injured.
34-year-old Markus Dowdy was convicted of second-degree murder, first-degree assault, two counts of using a firearm in a violent crime, illegal possession of a firearm, and reckless endangerment.
The jury returned its verdict late Friday.
The charges and conviction are the result of an incident at America’s Best Wings restaurant in the White Oak Shopping Center on November 4, 2023, where Dowdy shot and killed 34-year-old Marvin Jefferson and injured a second victim.
According to the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s office, surveillance video shows Jefferson entering the restaurant and approaching Dowdy, who was armed with a gun. Dowdy then chases Jefferson, firing multiple shots. The investigation by the Montgomery County Police revealed that the defendant and victim had a prior altercation, with Jefferson having punched Dowdy, leading to the belief that the shooting was an act of retaliation.
Dowdy shot Jefferson three times and injured another victim. While Jefferson was wounded on the ground, Dowdy also pistol-whipped him. The storefront glass was shattered, but there were no reports of additional injuries.
Several patrons were inside the restaurant while others were outside during the shooting.
“We express our condolences to the victim’s family following this senseless loss of life,” Montgomery County State’s Attorney John McCarthy said in a statement. “The defendant recklessly fired a handgun in a crowded shopping center in the middle of the day. We’re thankful that Montgomery County Police were able to locate the defendant and thank our prosecution team for securing a conviction that should ensure he is no longer a danger to our community.”
Dowdy faces up to 125 years in prison at his June 13 sentencing.
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