A Gaithersburg man is facing attempted murder and assault charges after he was arrested Wednesday in connection with a shooting Saturday in Rockville’s Welsh Park, according to Rockville City police.
Kenneth Oates, 38, is being held in Washington, D.C., following his arrest in the city on a warrant obtained by Rockville detectives, police said Wednesday in a statement. Oates waived his right to an extradition hearing Wednesday and was expected to be returned to Montgomery County, according to the District’s online court records.
He has been charged with two counts each of attempted first-degree murder, attempted second-degree murder, first-degree assault, second-degree assault and reckless endangerment, according to police. Other charges include two counts of violation of a protective order, the use of a firearm in a crime of violence and possessing a regulated firearm while prohibited.
Kevin D. Irving, the lawyer who handled Oates’ initial appearance in D.C. Superior Court, declined to comment on the case Wednesday evening.
According to police, officers responded around 12:30 p.m. Saturday to the park at 101 Welsh Park Drive for a report of gunshots. The popular 33-acre park offers tennis and futsal courts, a nature trail, a playground and athletic fields.
The officers determined that multiple shots had been fired in the parking lot and spoke with witnesses who observed a black Honda Civic leaving the area, according to the statement. No injuries were reported.
Detectives began investigating and found the Civic on Sunday in Frederick County. They then identified Oates as the person who allegedly attempted to shoot two people in the park, the statement said.
The statement did not say where the car was found or how detectives determined that Oates was allegedly involved in the shooting.
Detectives continue to investigate the shooting and credit the police departments of Montgomery County, Frederick City and Washington, D.C., with helping with the investigation.
“The urgency and tenacity of our detectives in this case was unparalleled,” Chief Victor Brito, who resigned from his post earlier this month and will leave office Nov. 22, said in the statement. “They spent countless hours working to quickly bring closure to the victims and residents of our community.”
