SILVER SPRING, Md. — An 18-year-old faces charges and a 19-year-old is dead after a fight in downtown Silver Spring.
Police responded to a call that took them to the 900 block of Ellsworth Drive in Silver Spring Tuesday.
Officers arrived to find 18-year-old Dakari Thomas, who had cuts on his arms and hands. Thomas told police that he had been in a fight with a 19-year-old, later identified as Getro Banamina, who had already fled toward Fenton Street.
Shortly after, police got a call from Banamina. He was found stabbed in the chest and transported to a nearby hospital in serious condition where he later died.
Thomas was arrested and charged with First Degree Assault, that charge was later changed to First Degree Murder when Banamina died. He also faces charges of attempted escape since he tried to run while being led to a police cruiser, according to officers.
Montgomery County State's Attorney John McCarthy announced Wednesday bond has been denied for Thomas. According to McCarthy, the incident started off as a drug deal involving marijuana.
"If there is a fatality related to a drug deal in Montgomery County it is always about marijuana," McCarthy said.
McCarthy warned downtown Silver Spring has been seeing an increase in danger and it's turning into an "open-air drug market." He said Silver Spring business leaders have spoken out about drug deals being made out in the public.
The State's Attorney's office has met with the local leaders and police stationed in downtown Silver Spring and is launching a task force to address the increase in crime.
The investigation is still is active and ongoing. Anyone with information regarding the crime is asked to call the Major Crimes Division at 240-773-5070 or 240-773-TIPS.
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