Silver Spring Bus Shooting Suspect Ordered Held Without Bond
Arrest warrants obtained for two more suspects
Monday, Nov 10, 2008 | Updated 6:05 PM EDT
Hector Mauricio Hernandez
An alleged MS-13 gang member has been arrested in connection with the death of a teen who was shot on a bus in Silver Spring, according to Montgomery County police.
Hector Mauricio Hernandez, 20, of Takoma Park, was arrested Friday and will be charged with first-degree murder.
Tai Lam, 14, was one of three teens shot Nov. 1 while on a Ride On bus. Lam died later that night. The other teens, ages 14 and 15, were treated at a local hospital and released.
Several groups of people were on the bus in the area of Piney Branch Road and Arliss Street, police said. When the bus stopped to let passengers out, words were exchanged and Hernandez allegedly pulled out a handgun and fired shots back into the bus in reaction to an innocent comment directed at Hernandez' group from Lam's group, police said.
On Oct. 3, a student at Northwood High School told school security that Hernandez had threatened him at the school. Hernandez was later arrested and found to be armed with a knife.
A judge ordered Hernandez, who is in the country illegally, be held without bond.
Detectives also obtained arrest warrants for Gilmar Leonardo Romero and Mario Ernesto Milan-Canales. Romero will be charged with first-degree murder and Milan-Canales with accessory after the fact. Investigators believe they are affiliated with MS-13 as well.
Both are Hispanic men with brown hair and eues, police said. Romero, 20, stands 5 foot 1 and 120 pounds. Milan-Canales, 30, stands 5 foot 3 and 140 pounds.
Detectives are still asking anyone with information about the shootings to call 240-773-5070. Callers may remain anonymous.
