Montgomery County detectives continue to investigate the tragic shooting death of Charles Joseph “Joe” Reynolds, which occurred on the night of December 21, 2022, in a downtown Silver Spring parking garage.
The case remains unsolved, prompting police to ask for the public’s assistance in identifying a potential witness.
In a recent news release, officials shared photographs of a man who may have been in or near the Wayne Avenue parking garage at the time of the incident.
The images depict a male wearing a white hoodie, black pants, and light-colored sneakers, appearing to hold a phone.
Sgt. Chris Homrock, who heads the cold case section of the Montgomery County Department of Police, expressed hopes that speaking with the individual could yield valuable information about the fateful evening.
Homrock clarified that the man is not considered a suspect; instead, police are looking to identify anyone who might have been present in the area to gather additional insights.
“We’re trying to identify anybody who was in and around that parking garage at the time that maybe saw something or heard something,” Homrock said.
Reynolds, aged 62, was shot in the parking garage located at 921 Wayne Avenue.
On the evening of his death, he had been celebrating his wife’s niece’s birthday in downtown Silver Spring.
After enjoying a dinner with his family, Reynolds stepped out to store leftover food in his vehicle situated in the Wayne Avenue parking garage.
He was planning to reunite with his family afterwards for ice cream at a nearby Ben & Jerry’s.
Tragically, police discovered Reynolds suffering from a gunshot wound and severe blood loss in a second-floor stairwell of the garage.
Law enforcement officials reported that there was no apparent motive behind the shooting.
Six months post-Reynolds’ death, authorities revealed they still lacked any suspects, prompting his wife, Karis Hastings, and family to seek answers through various channels.
At a press conference held in May 2023, Hastings recounted her harrowing experience of finding Reynolds in the stairwell and immediately dialing 911 for help.
“In a six-minute timeframe, we went from celebrating and being together to then just the unimaginable,” Hastings stated during the conference.
“Instead of getting ready for Christmas, we were talking to the police and calling funeral homes.”
Reynolds was remembered fondly by his family and friends as a devoted father, husband, and neighbor.
Hastings emphasized his willingness to assist anyone in need and highlighted his passion for computer technology, which saw him volunteer time at their church, in the community, and with local nonprofits.
Earlier this year, detectives similarly reached out to the public for assistance in identifying two additional potential witnesses connected to the shooting.
Homrock noted that ongoing efforts to pinpoint these individuals are vital to resolving the case.
At the time of the shooting, there were few functional security cameras in the garage, particularly on the floor where the homicide occurred.
As a result, investigators have been focused on identifying witnesses in the vicinity to gather as much relevant information as possible.
“It’s unfortunate there aren’t a lot of leads right now,” Homrock said, acknowledging the challenges faced during the investigation.
“To that end, we’re asking for the public’s help in identifying individuals who may have been in and around the garage.”
Despite the elapsed time since Reynolds’ death, Homrock expressed optimism that the case could still be solved and urged potential witnesses to come forward with any information that might prove helpful.
He stated that while cold cases can take time to resolve, law enforcement professionals are committed to investigating them thoroughly.
This summer, the department successfully closed in on a suspect in a separate 30-year-old homicide cold case involving Deena Fredericka Campbell, a 24-year-old police officer killed in her home in White Oak in 1995.
On August 6, 2023, police announced the arrest of Campbell’s former boyfriend, Kenneth Burnell Wonsom, who was charged with first-degree murder.
“We treat these cases as though they happened yesterday, and that’s how we’re treating this one,” Homrock remarked regarding the ongoing investigation.
“We’re still working on it every day. It’s frustrating that we’re not closer … but we’ve been frustrated on cases before.”
Homrock conveyed that investigators have experienced periods of stagnation on cases yet have witnessed breakthroughs that significantly advance investigations.
County police have requested that anyone with information regarding either the potential witness or the homicide itself reach out through Crime Solvers of Montgomery County, either on their website or by calling 1-866-411-8477.
Tips can be submitted anonymously, and those leading to an arrest may qualify for a reward of up to $10,000.
Homrock emphasized the importance of information, stating that even minor details can be pivotal.
“Even if they were in the area and maybe saw a car drive by, or maybe saw someone walk by, it might not be relevant to them, but it might be relevant to us,” he added.
Former Bethesda Today reporter Mishka Espey contributed to this article.
image source from：bethesdamagazine
