LEXINGTON PARK, Md. – Joseph Daren Brooks, 22, of Lexington Park, has been charged in two separate cases involving incidents that occurred in early 2024. Both cases include charges of attempted murder, assault, and firearm offenses, with one case also involving a charge of murder. Brooks remains in custody as the cases proceed in court.
On March 9, 2024, at around 12:13 a.m., emergency responders were called to a shooting at Hollywood Plaza on Three Notch Road. Upon arrival, they found a male victim with a gunshot wound to the neck. Despite his injuries, the victim was conscious and able to speak with rescuers before being airlifted to a trauma center. Following an investigation, Brooks was indicted on August 19, 2024, facing charges of attempted first- and second-degree murder, first-degree assault, and multiple firearm-related offenses. According to court documents, Brooks allegedly conspired with an accomplice, Zahlir Gantt, in the attack. He pleaded not guilty at a court hearing on September 23, 2024, and remains in custody without bond as the case moves forward.
On the evening of February 26, 2024, emergency personnel responded to a car accident at the intersection of Valley Drive and Fox Ridge Road in Lexington Park. Upon arriving, they discovered Malic Quinn Freeland, 23, trapped in a crashed vehicle and suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Firefighters worked to free Freeland, and he was flown to a trauma center with life-threatening injuries. Despite medical efforts, Freeland passed away the following day. Investigators determined that Freeland had been shot prior to the crash, and the incident was ruled a homicide.
Brooks was indicted on September 9, 2024, on charges including first- and second-degree murder, first-degree assault, and possession of a firearm in a felony or violent crime. The indictment also revealed that Brooks had conspired with two other individuals, Jontae Proctor and Zahlir Gantt, in Freeland’s murder. Authorities also found that the vehicle involved in the crash, a red Hyundai Elantra, had been stolen earlier that day and was later recovered near the scene of the shooting.
Brooks has entered a plea of not guilty to all charges and remains in custody without bond as the case heads to trial. These cases have further emphasized ongoing efforts by local law enforcement to curb gun violence and other violent crimes. Task forces and community programs continue to address the issue, with local authorities staying vigilant in their efforts to bring perpetrators to justice.
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