Gaithersburg man shot dead by Police after Stabbing Incident

SILVER SPRING, MD News (7/24/2023) – On July 22, 2023, at approximately 10:35 a.m., officers with the Montgomery County Police Department responded to a business in the 12200 block of Veirs Mill Road for the report of a stabbing. Once on scene, they located one adult woman stabbing victim. Approximately one minute after the first 911 call a second 911 call was received for two women stabbed in the 4100 block of Colie Drive. Upon officers’ arrival, they located two women suffering from stab wounds and discovered an adult male suffering from a superficial stab wound.

Officers obtained a description of the male suspect and began canvassing the area for him. Preliminarily, at least one officer located a man matching the description armed with a knife in the 4300 block of Havard Street. An initial review of body-worn camera footage shows an officer gave commands for the man to drop the knife, but he did not comply and then advanced toward the officer while holding the knife. The officer discharged their firearm several times striking the man. Officers called for EMS and performed CPR. The man was pronounced dead on scene. A knife was recovered near the man at the shooting scene. No officers were injured. Three of the stabbing victims were taken to area hospitals. The fourth victim was treated on the scene and released.

The decedent has been identified as 19-year-old Franklin Castro Ordonez of Gaithersburg, Maryland.

The involved Montgomery County Police Officer has been identified as Officer Justin Lee. Officer Lee has been with the department for one-and-a-half years and is assigned to the Patrol Services Bureau.

Officers on scene were equipped with body-worn cameras, which recorded the incident. The IID will generally release body camera footage within 14 days of an incident. There may be situations where more than 14 days is necessary, including if investigators need more time to complete witness interviews, if there are technical delays caused by the need to shield the identities of civilian witnesses, or to allow family members to view the video before it is released to the public.

Original article by Maryland Attorney General’s Office.