ROCKVILLE, Md. — A Gaithersburg man was taken into custody in Washington, D.C., on multiple charges, including attempted murder, following a shooting incident at Welsh Park on Saturday. Police say Kenneth Oates, 38, is accused of firing multiple gunshots in the parking lot of the popular Rockville park, located at 101 Welsh Park Drive, just after 12:30 p.m. on October 26. No injuries were reported.
Witnesses at the scene reported seeing a black Honda Civic fleeing immediately after the shots were fired. Rockville City Police Department (RCPD) detectives launched an investigation and tracked down the vehicle in Frederick County the following day. Through their inquiries, they identified Oates as the suspect in the attempted shooting.
Oates was arrested on the morning of October 28 on a warrant issued by RCPD detectives. He now faces numerous charges, including two counts each of attempted first- and second-degree murder, first- and second-degree assault, reckless endangerment, and violating a protective order. Additional charges include use of a firearm in a crime of violence and possession of a regulated firearm while prohibited.
“Oates is currently being held in Washington, D.C., pending an extradition hearing,” RCPD officials said in a statement, adding that the investigation remains active.
The RCPD thanked the Frederick City Police Department, Montgomery County Police Department’s Repeat Offender Prevention Enforcement (ROPE) Unit, and the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department for their support in the investigation and capture of Oates.