Suspect In North Bethesda Homicide Arrested In North Carolina

NORTH BETHESDA, MD — One of two suspects wanted in connection with a recent homicide in North Bethesda was arrested in North Carolina this week, police said.

Joshua Carter, 18, of Silver Spring, was taken into custody in Fayetteville on Wednesday, Montgomery County police said in a news release. Carter is charged with first-degree murder in the Sept. 21 shooting death of 29-year-old Akwalabeng Fontava.

Another suspect, 25-year-old Justin Michael Greene Collins of Silver Spring, remains at large.

A third suspect, 37-year-old Sheldon Milan Boykins of Hyattsville, is in custody and being held without bond.

According to police, Fontava was shot and killed inside an apartment in the 5900 block of Montrose Road in North Bethesda. Following the shooting, a man and a woman were kidnapped and forced into a car.

The male victim was later released in Burtonsville, police said. Detectives located the vehicle at Westfield Montgomery Mall, where Boykins was found with the female victim.

Following an investigation, detectives identified Carter and Collins as the two at-large suspects.

Carter also faces two counts of kidnapping and two counts of armed robbery. He was located with the assistance of the US Marshals Service - Carolina Regional Fugitive Task Force.

Anyone with information about the whereabouts of Carter or Collins is asked to visit the Crime Solvers of Montgomery County website at www.crimesolversmcmd.org, click on “Submit a Tip,” or call 1-866-411-TIPS (8477). Tips leading to an arrest may be eligible for a reward ranging from $250 to $10,000.