Candlelight Vigil Planned For Slain Germantown Teens

GERMANTOWN, MD — A candlelight vigil will be held to remember the slain Northwest High School students Friday night at the school's football stadium, Montgomery Community Media reports.

Shadi Adi Najjar, 17, of Breezedale Lane in Germantown, and Artem S. Ziberov, 18, of Flag Harbor Drive in Germantown were gunned down while sitting in a car in Montgomery Village June 5, one night before they were set to graduate, police said.

Students and the victim's parents will gather and share stories of Najjar and Ziberov at the vigil. Northwest High School's principal, Jimmy D’Andrea, said he thinks the vigil is an "important part of moving forward," especially since the students have not had the chance to grieve together since graduation.

D’Andrea said local businesses have contributed to the vigil, including candles from Dunkin Donuts, which Najjar made a class project video about his love of the doughnuts, Montgomery Community Media noted.

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At 10:46 p.m. June 5, 911 dispatchers received a call from a resident reporting the sounds of shots fired in the 8200 block of Gallery Court. When police officers arrived they found the two males inside a vehicle that was parked on Gallery Court. Both victims appeared to be suffering from apparent gunshot wounds and died from their injuries at the scene.

Police said they're collecting forensic evidence and processing information. They've interviewed over 100 people, not counting the people who have called in. At this time, police believe there was some kind of connection between the victims and the suspects based on past experience, according to Montgomery Community Media.

“This was a very personal act,” said Captain Darren Francke, the director of the Montgomery County Police Department’s Major Crimes Division.

Francke said potential tipsters will be treated well since they're so crucial to the case. Francke said police can offer resources and help to those who offer information.

“Our hope is that someone knows something, maybe they are a little afraid right now, maybe they are not quite sure what to do. Our message is very simple. Come to us. Let us help you. Give us the information we need to find the people responsible for this,” said Francke. “This was a heinous crime, a brazen crime, and we need the public’s help.”

Shadi Adi Najjar's father, Adi Najjar, told WTOP that Montgomery County Police detectives came to his house at 4:30 a.m. and told him that his son was shot.

“I need an answer; I need to know who killed my boy. Why?” Najjar said. “That’s what I am waiting for — for someone who has the courage, the guts, no fear to come forward to tell us why and who did this to him."

D’Andrea said it’s been a time of “tremendous sadness.” The vigil will take place at 7:30 p.m. at the high school at 13501 Richter Farm Rd., Germantown. The community is invited to attend.

If you have information about this case, call the Major Crimes Division at 240.773.5070.

Photo: Montgomery Community Media