Markus Dowdy, 34, of Silver Spring, was found guilty Feb. 28 of second-degree murder and first-degree assault in connections with a restaurant shooting that was caught on camera.
A Montgomery County jury also found Dowdy guilty of using a firearm and reckless endangerment.
He will be sentenced June 13 and faces up to 125 years in prison.
“We express our condolences to the victim’s family following this senseless loss of life. The defendant recklessly fired a handgun in a crowded shopping center in the middle of the day. We’re thankful that Montgomery County Police were able to locate the defendant and thank our prosecution team for securing a conviction that should ensure he is no longer a danger to our community,” said State’s Attorney for Montgomery County John McCarthy.
Markus Dowdy
According to McCarthy’s office, Dowdy was found guilty of a Nov. 4, 2023 shooting that killed Marvin Jefferson, 34, and wounded another person at America’s Best Wings restaurant in the White Oak Shopping Center on New Hampshire Avenue.
The incident was captured by surveillance cameras, which showed Jefferson walking into the restaurant and approaching Dowdy, who had a gun in his hand.
According to the State’s Attorney’s spokesperson, Dowdy began chasing Jefferson and firing multiple shots. Jefferson was hit three times, and the other victim was hit once.
Dowdy also pistol-whipped Jefferson when he was wounded and on the ground, according to the State’s Attorney’s office.
Several other people were inside the carry-out restaurant at the time. The restaurant’s front glass was shattered.
According to Montgomery County Police, the two men were involved in an altercation a week early, and Jefferson had punched Dowdy.
