Police Arrest 2 for Silver Spring Homicide; 2 Others Charged in May

James Polk Jackson, left, and Antonio Ortiz | MCPD

Two men were arrested last week after a continued investigation in a May 28 slaying in Silver Spring that apparently followed a robbery over a drug deal, Montgomery County police said in a statement Monday.

The deceased was Sulaiman Jalloh, 24, from the 10700 block of Begonia Lane in Bowie, who was killed outside the Days Inn at 8040 13th St., Silver Spring.

The day after the killing, police said they arrested two people: Ruben Ortiz, 20, of the 2000 block of Erie Street in Adelphi, and Shanee Collette Cox, 19, of the 2200 block of Georgian Woods Place in Wheaton.

Both were charged with first-degree murder and armed robbery, relating to the homicide and robbery of Jalloh, police said. They were arrested at the Erie Street address, police said.

Online court records show Ortiz and Cox remain in custody at the Montgomery County Detention Center.

At the time of their arrest, police said Ortiz and Cox spoke with investigators.

After an investigation, police sought Ortiz’s brother, Antonio Ortiz, 22, of the 1900 block of Rosemary Hills Drive in Silver Spring, police said. He was arrested June 11 and was charged with first-degree murder and armed robbery, police said. He is being held in lieu of bail.

Ruben Ortiz, left, and Shanee Cox | MCPD

Police also sought, and arrested, James Polk Jackson, 23, of an unconfirmed address, police said. He was arrested in Alexandria on Wednesday and charged with first-degree murder and armed robbery, police said. After extradition back to Montgomery County, he is also being held in lieu of bail.

Police said Ruben Ortiz and Cox approached Jalloh and his friends May 27 at the Silver Spring Metro Station. Ruben Ortiz and Cox offered to sell Jalloh marijuana and they agreed to meet in front of the Days Inn for the transaction, police said. The two groups met just after 11 p.m., but instead of purchasing marijuana, Jalloh’s group robbed Ruben Ortiz of cash and his shoes, police said.

Later, Ruben Ortiz and his small group went to Jalloh’s room in the Days Inn and demanded the return of the shoes and cash. The cash and shoes were returned.

Just before 2:30 a.m., Jalloh left his room and walked to the motel’s parking lot, police said. There, a group — that included Ruben Ortiz, Cox, Antonio Ortiz and Jackson — assaulted him. During the assault, Jalloh was beaten, stabbed and robbed, police said.

After the assault, Jalloh went back to his hotel room and police were called. Jalloh was taken to a local hospital, where he died from his injuries, police said.

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