October marks Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and a recent tragic shooting in Montgomery County underscores the growing severity of this issue.
In a normally quiet Silver Spring neighborhood, residents are still shaken after a deadly shooting that took place Sunday morning.
Roslyn Brown, who was visiting her brother nearby, recalled the shocking sounds that pierced the calm. “We were shocked — Sunday was not a good day for anybody,” she said. “We heard, ‘bang bang… bang bang bang.’ At first, we thought it was a truck backfiring, but then we heard another round of shots.”
Montgomery County Police reported that officers were called to a residence on Imperial Drive just before 8:30 a.m. Upon arrival, they discovered 47-year-old Monique Charles outside the home with multiple gunshot wounds. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigators identified the suspected shooter as 47-year-old Earl Walker, Charles’ ex-boyfriend. Police later located Walker in Derwood, where he resides. He was taken into custody following a pursuit that ended when his vehicle crashed.
According to the Montgomery County Family Justice Center, domestic violence incidents have grown increasingly severe in recent years. “We’re seeing that the rates of domestic violence, the seriousness and severity of the attacks has actually increased,” said Smita Varia, program manager for the center. “Unfortunately, strangulation has become more common.”
Officials are urging the public to stay alert for warning signs that someone may be in an abusive relationship, such as withdrawing from friends or hobbies, showing visible anxiety around their partner, or becoming unusually isolated.
They also emphasize that domestic violence is not limited to physical abuse — it can also be financial, emotional, or psychological.
Those experiencing abuse or concerned about someone who might be can seek help from the following resources:
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National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE
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Montgomery County Family Justice Center: 240-773-0444
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Montgomery County Crisis Center: 240-777-4000
