In the quiet neighborhood of Layhill in Silver Spring, Maryland, a tragic and violent event unfolded on the evening of Monday, September 4, 2023, shattering the peace of the community. Inside a home on Punch Street, 65-year-old Rosa Maria Benitez-Ozuna, a female resident, was found deceased by responding officers. The discovery was made after police were called to the area for reports of a shooting at approximately 7:54 p.m.
Upon their arrival, officers first encountered an adult male in
the street suffering from a gunshot wound; he was subsequently transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The investigation then led them inside a nearby residence where they found Ms. Benitez-Ozuna. Also inside the home was another woman, the suspect's mother, who had sustained multiple gunshot wounds and was rushed to the hospital in serious condition.
The investigation quickly pointed to a resident of the home, 23-year-old Manuel Alejandro Ayala, as the suspect in the deadly shooting. He was taken into custody at the scene without incident. The motive for the shooting was described by authorities as domestic-related. The tragic incident left one woman dead and two other individuals wounded.
Following his arrest, Manuel Alejandro Ayala was transported to the Montgomery County Central Processing Unit. He was charged with first-degree murder for the death of Rosa Maria Benitez-Ozuna, two counts of attempted first-degree murder for the injuries sustained by the other two victims, and numerous firearm-related offenses. He was held awaiting a bond hearing.
