MS-13 Gang Members Charged In Silver Spring Park Homicide

(Updated at 10:45 p.m. Wednesday) SILVER SPRING, MD — Two MS-13 gang members have been arrested in the fatal stabbing of 20-year-old Silver Spring resident Christopher Alfredo Funes Gerra, whose body was found by a hiker in Long Branch Stream Valley Park Sept. 6.

David Lagunes-Bolanos, 17, of Silver Spring and Jesus Ponce Flores, 18, of Takoma Park were arrested Tuesday, police announced Wednesday night. They have been charged with first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, and Lagunes-Bolanos will be charged as an adult.

Police received a call on the morning of Sept. 6 from a resident who discovered a body in the park near 8800 Garland Ave. in Silver Spring. Homicide investigators and members of the Maryland National Capitol Park Police Department responded to the scene and found Gerra's body, police said. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner ruled the death a homicide by multiple stab wounds.

See Related:

• Identity Confirmed Of Man's Body Found By Hiker In Silver Spring Park
• Hiker Finds Man's Body In Silver Spring Park: Police

Investigation revealed that Gerra told his mom he was going to meet a friend and left his home at about 8 p.m. Sept. 2. His mom tried to call him on his cell phone at about 10 p.m., but it appeared that his cell phone was off, police said. Gerra did not return home and was not heard from again.

Detectives determined that the “friend” he was planning on meeting that night was Lagunes-Bolanos, police said. During the investigation, detectives received information that this murder was committed by MS-13 criminal street gang members, including Flores and Lagunes-Bolanos.

The suspects are being held in the Central Processing Unit without bond.

Photo: Jesus Ponce Flores via MCPD. A photo of David Lagunes-Bolanos will not be released because he is a juvenile.