Burtonsville man arrested in murder-for-hire case

Montgomery County Police arrested a Burtonsville man this week, accusing him of hiring a gunman who fatally shot a Silver Spring man in 2025.

Bekine Tibebu Ayele, 23, is charged with first-degree murder in connection with the homicide of Jonah Kimindu Mutua, 23, who was found shot on March 8 last year, according to a statement from police.

Officers on that date responded to the 2700 block of Fairdale Terrace for a report of a shooting and found Mutua in a parking lot.

Homicide detectives identified 23-year-old Douglas David Lacey as the shooter and arrested him in April 2025. He remains in custody under indictment for Mutua’s death.

As the investigation continued, detectives discovered evidence showing that Ayele hired Lacey to kill Mutua, police said.

Ayele is being held at the Montgomery County Central Processing Unit, where he awaits a bond hearing.

It was unclear Tuesday morning whether Ayele had retained an attorney.