2 Gaithersburg Men Face Murder Charges In September 2024 Shooting

GAITHERSBURG, MD — Two Gaithersburg men were arrested in late February on first-degree murder charges in the September 2024 shooting death of Antoine Lavale Parker in the 18500 block of Boysenberry Drive in Montgomery Village. Montgomery County police announced the arrests on Monday.

About 11:24 a.m. on Sept. 22, 2024, a shooting was reported, and police officers found Parker, 37, inside his apartment suffering from gunshot wounds.

Detectives eventually identified Erick Darryl West, 65, of Gaithersburg and Daryl James Howard, 45, both of Gaithersburg, as suspects, according to a police news release.

On Dec. 20, 2024, investigators executed a search and seizure warrant at Howard’s residence, leading to firearm charges against him. On Feb. 26, 2025, investigators obtained an arrest warrant for Howard, charging him with first-degree murder.

He is being held at the Carroll County Detention Center on unrelated charges, police said.

On Feb. 24, detectives obtained an arrest warrant for West, also charging him with first-degree murder. On Feb. 26, a search warrant was executed at his residence, and he was taken into custody without incident, authorities said.

West is being held at the Montgomery County Central Processing Unit without bond.