Two months after a barrage of gunfire erupted outside of the Bowlero bowling alley at 5353 Westbard Avenue at Westbard Square in Bethesda, Montgomery County police have announced their first arrest in the case. Devon Edwards, 22, "of an unknown address," was taken into custody by Metropolitan Police Department officers in Washington, D.C. last Friday, May 23, 2025, Montgomery County police said in a statement yesterday. The statement said Edwards has been charged with first-degree assault, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, reckless endangerment, and conspiracy to commit malicious destruction of property.
County police provided a few details about the incident, including that there were multiple shooters, who remain at-large. They have not provided a motive or narrative of what happened around 12:13 AM on March 29, but stated that there were two "groups" who "exchanged gunfire." In a twist that perhaps Christopher Wray could appreciate, police indicated that the two victims of the shooting were not wounded, but only injured by "broken glass." A local journalist listening to police radio communications immediately after the 911 call March 29 reported hearing that a female victim had been "grazed in the face by a bullet in the parking lot" of Bowlero. Perhaps the victim or bystanders had not yet realized the cause of the wound at that early juncture, which would explain the discrepancy.
I noticed that many mainstream media outlets were simply glossing over the press release, so it's worthwhile digging a bit deeper into what new information we have - or have not - learned from that statement, and from elsewhere.
- It is now confirmed for the first time that there were multiple shooters, which provides supporting context for the wide spread of the shell casings and property damage at the scene, as well as the "earwitness" reports of 20 to 30 rounds being fired.
- We do not know how many shooters there were in total.
- Police have confirmed for the first time that they have surveillance video from Bowlero that showed enough to determine that there were two groups shooting at each other, and that there were multiple shooters.
- Police have not indicated whether they have clear images of any or all of the shooting suspects, and/or the getaway vehicles, or when they will - if ever - make those public to assist in tracking down all of the suspected shooters. It's challenging for the public to assist if there are no suspect or vehicle descriptions available.
- The red Honda Accord referred to as one of the getaway vehicles in radio communications has not been mentioned or confirmed by police thus far. Yesterday's statement did not mention any of the many Westbard Square, traffic, surveillance, or doorbell cameras that would have captured the fleeing vehicles on any of the possible escape routes from Westbard Avenue.
- The charges that the statement indicated have been filed against Edwards do not appear in Maryland online court records.
- A different case filed in Montgomery County District Court in Rockville against a defendant with the same name and age, which cites a firearm-related incident taking place on March 29 (the same day of the Westbard shooting), is described as a "Criminal SOC Application" case type.
- The defendant in that case was arrested under a warrant issued on April 22, 2025.
- The defendant in that case has been charged only with Loaded Handgun on Person, and Handgun on Person, both misdemeanors.
- "Criminal SOC Application" refers to a "stipulated order of continuance." This is an agreement between a defendant and the prosecutor that sets conditions that, if met by the defendant, will result in the charges being dropped. If the conditions are not met, the case will then go to trial.
- Yesterday's statement indicated Edwards is being held without bond in the County jail.
- The defendant of the same name and age in the other case has a bail hearing scheduled for tomorrow, and a trial date of July 14 in Montgomery County District Court in Rockville.
Perhaps one of our resident attorneys or law enforcement professionals can comment below as to what the significance of the "Criminal SOC Application" case is in this situation, and why the charges listed differ from those in yesterday's press release.
Given that the other alleged shooters in the incident remain at large, yesterday's press release said, police still need the public's help in this case. Anyone with information regarding the additional suspects or this crime is asked to visit the Crime Solvers of Montgomery County, MD website at www.crimesolversmcmd.org and click on the “www.p3tips.com” link at the top of the page or call 1-866-411-8477. A reward of up to $10,000 is being offered for information that leads to the arrest of the suspects. Tipsters may remain anonymous.
53 comments:
Was there a 'thematic' sort of event that evening at Bowlero that might attract these two groups or was it just coincidence that they decided to go bowling? If it was an event, should Bowlero be compelled to cease such inviting behavior?
One less democrat vote, (until the DA fails to prosecute), but he won't be in jail for long
Sadly, the pro-defendant defenders of democracy in this county will come up with a legal technicality aka loophole.
There should be enhanced or new criminal penalties for 'failure to divulge information on accomplices and/or known adversaries.' I'm sick of them. We can't have anything nice, is right! They ruin everything they touch.
If you expect our lofty MGA to undertake such a task, don't hold your breath. . .
Maybe the conditions for dropping charges is giving information on the others involved.
Oh, so the police was actually working the case and doing its job.
@2:17 Don't vote for the people like Jawando who is a staunch defund the police idiot.
Believe he was arrested in DC, but okay…
Glad for the arrest. And I maintain the police continue to work this case, despite the lack of extensive public releases. Hopeful for more soon..
He is being held without bond, so at least the judge is taking it seriously.
As for police not stating a lot about how they gathered evidence, given that some suspects are still at large, they probably don't want to give any details away yet.
Better than getting a pardon from a convicted felon.
You've been touched.
Ok, some progress but no way this is exemplary police work, like graffiti, the time to respond is critical. Theae same cretins could have been involved in numerous other dangerous crimes. Discharging a weapon, so.many times especially shows every second they're free is a Hugh liability. 2 months is risible.
You should be GLAD that the MPD is a no nonsense outfit!
4:50 PM You are absolutely correct. Our finest are preoccupied with drones.
Case in point: https://wtop.com/maryland/2025/05/md-teen-linked-to-120-vehicle-break-ins-gets-released-hours-after-arrest/
Why have you been and still so obsessed with this?
1:35: I don't believe Bowlero has programmed events, just special pricing or offers on certain days. Friday nights they offer an unlimited bowling "After Party" package for $26.99, but that's hardly an enticement for criminals or people from far outside of the Bethesda area. You do raise a related point, which is that there are many such bowling pseudo-nightclub venues all over the region. If it turns out all of the parties were from outside the area, why would they have chosen an out-of-the-way location like Westbard? That's a lot of driving to do something available much closer to home. Or was there a local connection? We just don't have that information yet at this stage of the investigation, at least publicly.
of all the services that Montgomery County offers, I think the police force is probably the best. I think it’s clear that they are taking this incident seriously. for all we know, a warrant was issued for this person a while ago.
1:29 - Your comments are droning.
1:39 - Try to keep on point.
Yeah, just not to the TV drama speed suitable to the blog manager.
4:24 - Typical MAGA lie spreader, like their dear autocrat.
@6:05 A) He had no fixed address, which probably means he couldn't afford bail, and no bondsman would put up the security.
B) MCPD will tell you what they think you need to know, when they want to tell you what they think you need to know. PERIOD!
Fine Sherlock, you tell us just how they should inform the public of what's going on, and when. Waiting......
I dunno, maybe because shootings in Bethesda are ok in 2:27's orbit, but in the real world where 20-30 rounds expended in what once was a relatively quiet area should be concerning and highlight the lack of interest by the Council and Governor.
Seems you're like the auditor, who "comes down the hill after the battle" and criticizes. You're sure you could solve it yourself?
Thank you for keeping us up-to-date.
Maybe the judge is a Westbard resident. . .
You must live on the Eastern Shore.
A fine young man from the neighborhood. Not. Never, ever happened in the 60's years is Westbard Center. Ever. Not an open-air shooting that's for damn sure. He'll be out soon.
@6:22 Trump lives in you mind rent free. I'm lovin it!
Curbside solid waste collection is pretty solid too. Those guys are on it, and if you plan ahead will collect damn near ANYTHING !
My job is to pay taxes. Their job is to get the cretins off the streets. 2 months is too long. And it's not fully even close to closed. How many crimes did these miscreants do in the interim?
6:20 AM: The MGA is the lawmaking body of the free state of Maryland.
The councilmember has an ax to grind:
https://wjla.com/news/local/councilmember-jawando-fails-to-appear-for-traffic-case-court-requests-license-suspension
7:31 PM: You're out in the left field. Don't stand in the curbside too long. . .
LMAO!!!
11:21 PM Good job! You are addressing Elementary School dropouts.
I wonder, who issued them a hunting license?
And Trump called Rockville, Takoma Park and MoCo sanctuary justifications. No kidding. Glad someone finally said it. And to all the Elrich voters out there, great job on re-electing this fool. Elrich's statement in response to Trump is so unbelievable that it's hard to fathom. But that's where they are. Illegals are valued members of our community and must be protected. Heckuva job Brownie!
@2:13 Judges have more class than that.
@7:31 Please do us a favor and stay at the curb.
@7:01 Ideally, judges should exercise sound judgement.
Although he cannot run for a third term, he'll run for councilmember at-large!
@7:04 AM Don't take it personal.
7:44 - Robert will post that story here. That's big news because our area never enters the national conversation. Oh, I can't wait for the Far Left defense of this. And Elrich already announced he's gonna run for an at-large seat. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.
Fact is, you're never right.
8:20 - If you're referring to my comments, you may need a refresher. A comment forum is not about right or wrong. And you're not the arbiter of that besides. You're simply contributing to the forum same as anyone.
Burn notice received apparently.
6/3, all you defenders of our po-po, where's an update ? This is bordering on ridiculous, the one guy caught needs to be incentivized to talk, being nice doesn't work.
Hence the motto: "Unum e pluribus"
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