Man Dies After Shooting Near Vigil In Gaithersburg: Police

GAITHERSBURG, MD — A 25-year-old man died Sunday after being shot near where a candlelight vigil was being held in Gaithersburg for another shooting victim, authorities said.

The man — later identified as Darius Cooper, of Germantown — was discovered by police outside the unit block of S. Frederick Ave. around 6:11 p.m. Cooper was found "suffering from trauma" near where a candlelight vigil was being held for Kwamena Ocran, a 24-year-old man who was fatally shot by Gaithersburg police two days earlier, police said.

Cooper was rushed to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.

Montgomery County police say they are conducting a homicide investigation. A police spokeswoman told Patch Monday that investigators are still trying to determine whether there is a connection between Sunday's shooting and vigil.

Authorities ask anyone with additional information to contact them at 240-773-5070. Anonymous tipsters can call the county's Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477) or submit a tip online or via the P3 Tips app. Crime Solvers is offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information that leads to an arrest.