On a late Monday evening in Oxon Hill, Maryland, the life of 19-year-old Bryant Brooks was tragically cut short. On September 30, 2019, at approximately 10:40 p.m., police responded to a call of a shooting in the 400 block of Winslow Road. Upon arrival, they discovered the young man on the sidewalk, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigators quickly determined that the incident was not a random act of violence.
The investigation into Bryant's death led to the swift arrest of two individuals a few days later. Authorities charged 20-year-old Roger Beckwith Jr. of Baltimore and 15-year-old Mark Lechoco of Fort Washington in connection with the homicide. Delving into the circumstances, detectives uncovered a plot that began with an illegal drug transaction allegedly arranged by the younger suspect, Lechoco, with Bryant. During this meeting, it is believed that Beckwith attempted to rob Bryant and subsequently shot him. Both Beckwith and Lechoco faced charges of first-degree murder and robbery, with the decision made to charge Lechoco as an adult.
Friends and family remember Bryant as a driven and entrepreneurial young man with a passion for fashion. From a young age, he was known for his work ethic, whether it was shoveling snow or mowing lawns to earn money. He had a keen eye for style and had recently been in New York with aspirations of modeling for his brother's clothing line. A candlelight vigil held at the Fort Foote Recreation Center saw a large turnout of loved ones who shared stories of a kind and genuine person who was a positive influence on those around him.
