Range Rovers and Lexuses parked alongside perfectly landscaped homes is an image that describes the normally peaceful Country Club Estates neighborhood in Bowie. But that changed Sunday night when a gunman opened fire in the 11500 block of Lottsford Terrace.
Multiple bullets tore through the neighborhood. Three people were hit, one of them fatally.
"I've been here eight years," said resident Muriel Suggs. "We've never had anything like this happen. Not even close."
Two parties were going on at the time, according to neighbors. At least one was a birthday party. But Prince George's County Police said at about 11:10 p.m., things went tragically wrong. Someone opened fire, hitting and killing 21-year old Christopher Leach, of Upper Marlboro.
Another 21-year-old and a 23-year-old also were hit.
Neighbors described the scene as chaotic.
"I was coming home, I couldn’t even get into the community," Suggs said. "The street was a parking lot. There was no way in or out, which was pretty scary. They had to direct traffic first even before the ambulance could get to the kids that were shot."
Leach died at a hospital. The other two victims also were hospitalized, with non-life threatening injuries.
Meanwhile, shattered glass, orange bullet casing marks and a sense of doubt were left behind at Country Club Estates.
"Now, I don't know if someone just drove past shooting or it was an argument," Suggs said. "It makes you more cautious than normal."
Prince George's County police are now asking for the public's help with information that may get them closer to finding the shooter. They are offering a $25,000 cash reward. If you have any information, call Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477).
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