Andrew Mollenbeck, wtop.com
ROCKVILLE, Md. – A late-night shooting in Montgomery County sticks out to investigators, who describe a brazen attack as a man returned home to his apartment.
Just before 3 a.m. Sunday, Edwin Alexander Campos Hernandez, 28, got out of a taxicab to make the short walk to his apartment in the 3700 block of Bel Pre Road.
That’s when two men walked up to him.
“Their intent was to rob the victim, and the conversation didn’t go on very long before there was gunfire, and Mr. (Campos)Hernandez was shot there on the sidewalk,” says Lt. Greg Wise, with Montgomery County Police, during a press conference Tuesday.
A full description of Campos’ attackers was not available.
Campos suffered gunshot wounds and was taken to the hospital where he died, police say.
Investigators continue to interview people in the area and to look for witnesses.
“What makes this different is that we believe this is a random event,” says Montgomery County Police Captain Paul Starks. “There’s no known relationship or association between Mr. Campos Hernandez and the suspects.”
Another aspect of the fatal shooting also stands out to police.
“While we don’t have a lot of robberies that involve a firearm that’s displayed on the streets in Montgomery County, when we do, very, very rarely does it result in a homicide,” Starks says.
Elmer Campos Hernandez, the victim’s brother, struggled to hold back his emotions while appealing to the public for help.
“My soul hurts because now I have to get used to living without him,” he said during the news conference.
The two had lived in Maryland for the past four years.
“He was just like my right hand,” he said.
Crime Solvers is offering a cash reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to an arrest, indictment or both.
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