2 MD Men Face Murder Charges In Fatal Shooting Of Takoma Park Man

TAKOMA PARK, MD — Friends of Walter Woods III, the 20-year-old Takoma Park man who was fatally shot on March 7 in Silver Spring, have started a GoFundMe fundraising campaign to help pay for his burial and other expenses.

Family friend Celeste James organized the GoFundMe campaign, which was launched on Tuesday morning. As of 10 a.m. on Wednesday, the campaign had received 55 donations, raising $5,485 toward the campaign's $20,000 goal.

"On March 7, we unexpectedly and tragically lost our friend and teammate," Walter Woods III," James wrote, on the GoFundMe page. "Young Walt, the only child of Walter Sr. and Sherron, was a quiet, gentle soul with hopes, dreams, and a determined spirit that was deeply nurtured by his loving parents. As friends and neighbors, we’re coming together here to create a community of comfort and love around the Woods Family by supporting them as quickly and efficiently as possible."

For more information about how to make a donation to the GoFundMe campaign started by Celeste James, visit Honoring Walter Woods III.

"Many of us have been contacted by Walter’s friends, coaches, Boy Scout buddies and others, and we know this collective support can help to ease the burden of financial obligations that no family should have to face," James wrote.

Memorial services for Woods are scheduled for Saturday, March 25, at 11:30 a.m. at Silver Spring United Methodist Church, 8900 Georgia Ave. in Silver Spring. The viewing will take place at 12:30 p.m., with a repast immediately following the services.

Montgomery County Police arrested two suspects on Tuesday in connection with Woods' death, according to a police release.

Investigators identified 21-year-old Javier Reyes of Silver Spring and 20-year-old Brian Gaitan-Sanchez of Bladensburg as suspects in the shooting.

Detectives obtained an arrest warrant on Monday, charging Reyes and Gaitan-Sanchez with first-degree murder. On Tuesday, the detectives executed a search and seizure warrant at the suspects' residences, where they were taken into custody.

Reyes and Gaitan-Sanchez were then taken to theMontgomery County Central Processing Unit, where they are being held without bond, according to a release.

Police discovered Woods, who was suffering from apparent gunshot wounds, around 9:02 p.m., on March 7 in the 1700 block of Hampshire Green Lane. Despite life-seating measures taken by police at the scene and by medical personnel at a nearby hospital, Woods was later pronounced dead.

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