Detectives searched a nearby apartment hours after Rafael Jeremias Brewster was fatally shot, but police have announced no arrests in his killing.
WHITE OAK, Md. — Four people were detained during a search of a nearby apartment as Montgomery County homicide detectives investigated the fatal shooting of a 32-year-old man in White Oak, but authorities have not charged any of them in connection with the killing.
The investigation followed the Sept. 10 shooting death of Rafael Jeremias Brewster of Beltsville. Police said officers and Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service personnel were sent to the 1700 block of January Drive at about 2:05 p.m. after a report of gunfire. Brewster was found in the roadway with an apparent gunshot wound and was pronounced dead despite efforts to save him.
Police searched the surrounding neighborhood after the shooting, looking for witnesses, physical evidence and surveillance video. The response brought a large police presence to the residential area as detectives worked to determine what happened and whether anyone nearby had recorded or seen events leading to the shooting.
Nearly four hours after the shooting, homicide detectives served a search warrant at a second-story apartment nearby. Crime scene investigators were seen removing bags of evidence from the unit. A heavy safe also was removed or opened during the search, although authorities have not publicly said what, if anything, investigators recovered from it or how the items relate to the homicide investigation.
Two men and two women were detained inside the apartment while the warrant was carried out. Police had not announced charges against any of the four in connection with Brewster’s death, underscoring that being detained during an investigation does not establish criminal responsibility.
Investigators have not publicly described what led them to the apartment or disclosed what evidence supported the search warrant. Authorities also have not announced a suspected motive, a description of a possible shooter or details about the events immediately before the gunfire.
An autopsy performed through the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner determined Brewster’s death was a homicide, police said. His identity was released after notification of his family. The shooting was the 10th homicide reported in Montgomery County this year, according to local reporting based on police information.
The investigation remains active, and the four detentions have not resulted in a publicly announced arrest in the homicide. Montgomery County police continue to seek witnesses and other information that could establish who shot Brewster and why.
Author note: Last updated September 13, 2026.