Teen Charged As Adult For Armed Drug Deal In Germantown: MCPD

GERMANTOWN, MD — A 16-year-old boy has been charged as an adult after police say he brought a gun to a Germantown Target and sold drugs in the store's bathroom.

Christopher Ritter-Lucas was charged with numerous offenses, including possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime, possession of a controlled dangerous substance, and knowingly altering a firearm identification number, Montgomery County police said.

Shortly before 4 p.m. on Friday, a Target employee called police to report that two boys — one of whom had been asked to leave the store on a previous occasion — were trespassing. The first officer to arrive at 20908 Frederick Rd. approached the boys as they left the bathroom, explained that they were trespassing, and asked to speak with Ritter-Lucas "about a different ongoing criminal matter," according to police. Both boys fled on foot but were caught by police and taken into custody.

While searching inside Ritter-Lucas' backpack, police said they found marijuana and a gun without a serial number. It is illegal to remove or alter a serial number on a gun.

Ritter-Lucas later admitted going to the bathroom at Target to sell drugs, police said. He now faces adult charges. Ritter-Lucas was released on bond and is scheduled to appear in court on Oct. 11.

The other 16-year-old boy was charged as a minor with possession of a controlled dangerous substance and obstructing and hindering. He was released to his legal guardian, according to police.

"I am very proud of the response of our officers. They were able to apprehend these juvenile offenders, one who was armed with a handgun, without injuries to any resident, officer, or the offenders," said MCPD Fifth District Commander Mark Plazinski.