Dice Game Dispute May Have Led to Fairland Shooting

A New Year’s Day shootout in the Fairland neighborhood of Silver Spring that resulted in attempted murder charges may have stemmed from a five-month dispute over a dice game and money, according to police.

No one was shot during the dispute.

Following an incident in the 13000 block of Brahms Terrace in Silver Spring, Derek Bratcher, 32, of the same address, and Lamaughan Solomon, 38, of the 18100 block of Chalet Drive, were charged in connection with the shots fired that day.

Bratcher was charged with a prohibited person in possession of a firearm, conspiracy to commit first-degree assault and reckless endangerment while Solomon was charged with two counts of attempted murder and reckless endangerment according to Montgomery County Police.

Police said the confrontation resulted from a dsiagreement that had been brewing since August.

According to records filed in Montgomery County District Court in Rockville, a 24-year-old Silver Spring man who was with Solomon during the shootout told police that “he and Bratcher have been engaged in a long-standing dispute over a dice game and money.”

Police said the conflict escalated to fights with bottles and knives. Court records show that in prior fights, both sides had displayed guns but shots were never fired.

The Silver Spring man reportedly told police that he, his 17-year-old brother, Solomon and a Silver Spring woman had set out to confront Bratcher on Jan. 1.

Police became involved after an unknown male suspect got out of the back seat of Bratcher's SUV and pulled out a semi-automatic handgun in the parking lot within the Brahms Terrace community.

Police said the man tried to fire the weapon but the gun did not function. Solomon then fired a revolver toward Bratcher and one of Brachter's family members, the court records state.

A Montgomery County Police spokesperson said the 24-year-old and the 17-year-old were arrested. Information on whether charges had been filed against the brothers was unavailable.

The Silver Spring woman was charged with conspiracy to commit first-degree assault, marijuana-related drug charges and keeping a common nuisance, according to police records filed in court.

Police found a loaded 12-gauge shotgun between a mattress and box spring in Bratcher's home, court records state.

The male suspect with Bractcher was still at large.