Gunman In Fatal Shooting At America's Best Wings Convicted

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MD — A Silver Spring man was convicted on second-degree murder and other charges Friday in a 2023 fatal shooting at America's Best Wings restaurant in White Oak, authorities said.

Markus Tyrelle Dowdy, 34, was found guilty of second-degree murder, first-degree assault, two counts of use of a firearm in a crime of violence, illegal possession of a firearm and reckless endangerment, a statement from the county state’s attorney’s office said Monday.

Dowdy was found guilty in the death of Marvin Jefferson, 34, of Silver Spring on Nov. 4, 2023, and in the shooting of a second man who survived. Jefferson, of Silver Spring, was taken to a nearby hospital, where he died, police said.

According to charging documents obtained by Bethesda Today, Jefferson and the other man had ordered food and were waiting inside the restaurant when Dowdy entered. Soon after his arrival, Dowdy and Jefferson argued. The other man tried unsuccessfully to separate the pair and then left the restaurant.

Authorities said Jefferson left the restaurant and Dowdy went to the back of the business and took out a bandana and a handgun. When Jefferson reentered the store and approached Dowdy, Dowdy shot Jefferson several times.

Bethesda Today reported that investigators determined Jefferson and Dowdy had fought about a week earlier when Jefferson punched Dowdy. Prosecutors said the shooting was retaliation for the fight, which happened outside a liquor store in the shopping center.