Shooter in Murder-Suicide Should Not Have Been on Street: Police

A man who shot a woman in the head while her teenage daughter was nearby had recently been arrested for DUI and gun charges, and should not have been out on the streets, says Montgomery County’s police chief.

The murder-suicide happened Tuesday at the Washingtonian Express gas station at 20510 N. Frederick Road (Rt 355) in Germantown.

Police have now identified the victims as Shakina Marie Perkins-Moody, 34, of the 18200 block of Smoke House Court in Germantown and Johnnie Perkins, 42, of the same address. The victim and suspect were involved in a relationship, although detectives have not been able to confirm the victim and suspect’s marital status, police said.

On Tuesday the couple was identified as married by authorities.

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Perkins was pronounced dead at the scene, while Perkins-Moody was taken to an area hospital, where she later died from her wounds.

Police say Johnnie Perkins had a long and extensive criminal history and was arrested July 12 by Montgomery County Police at a sobriety checkpoint. He was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs, along with handgun and drug possession offenses.

“Johnnie Perkins should not have been on the street and free to commit this murder,” Police Chief Thomas Manger said Wednesday. “He had an extensive criminal history, including recent firearms arrests and other violent crimes. In 2012, he was sentenced to prison for at least eight years for major narcotics distribution offenses. Yet, over the last several months, he was arrested in our community for handgun, narcotics, and assault charges. Why wasn’t he behind bars?”

Manger said that while diversion programs are needed for minor offenses committed by non-violent offenders, “when dangerous individuals with extensive criminal histories do not face appropriate jail time, the public is unnecessarily put at risk as yesterday’s tragic events demonstrate.”

WUSA reports the woman pleaded for her life before Perkins shot her, and then shot himself in the head.

Police say the couple arrived at the gas station with Perkins-Moody’s 16-year-old daughter, who was sent into the store to pay for gas. As the couple remained in the vehicle they argued, which culminated with Perkins fatally shooting Perkins-Moody.

An off-duty Montgomery County police officer in a marked cruiser was parked in a lot adjacent to the gas station. Once the officer heard a shot he approached the vehicle, which is when Perkins shot and killed himself.

No one else was injured. The off-duty officer did not discharge his firearm.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact the Major Crimes Division at 240.773.5070.