Rockville, MD (DG) – A gang-related shooting that shook a Silver Spring neighborhood has now led to a life sentence. On Monday, August 18th, a Montgomery County judge ordered Edgard Castro-Contreras to serve life in prison plus 52 years. A jury had convicted him in April of murdering 20-year-old Edvin Agustin Leon, attempting to kill a second victim, and multiple conspiracy and firearms charges.
Authorities say the two victims were ambushed on November 9th, 2022, after being led into Northwest Stream Valley Park near Piney Branch Road. Agustin Leon was fatally shot, while the second victim survived by pretending to be dead, crawling through wooded terrain until neighbors heard his cries for help.
Detectives later uncovered the attack was orchestrated by members of the violent MS-13 gang, who provided the weapons and gave the order to kill. A co-defendant in the case, Sender Lemus, is scheduled to stand trial in May of 2026.