Crime & Safety
Murder Charges Filed in Hit-And-Run Death of Potomac Man
Fernando Josue Valenzuela has been charged with first degree murder and attempted second-degree murder following the hit-and-run death in Gaithersburg.Billie Jay Genies, 34, was run down and killed in a Gaithersburg hit-and-run on Dec. 5
Montgomery County police have made an arrest in connection to a Dec. 5 vehicle-related homicide in Gaithersburg.
Billie Jay Genies, 34, was run down and killed in a Gaithersburg hit-and-run on Dec. 5.
The alleged driver, Fernando Josue Valenzuela, 20, of the unit block of Valley Park Court, has been charged with one count of first-degree murder and one count of attempted first-degree murder, according to police.
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Valenzuela is also accused of targeting Genies' brother, James R. Genies, 35, of Potomac.
James Genies reportedly told police that he and his brother were given a ride by some people in a black Honda Civic. But a dispute occurred between the brothers and the driver as they were getting out of the vehicle, near Gaitherstowne Plaza.
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As a result of the dispute, police claim, the driver trawled through Gaithersburg looking for the brothers and upon finding them, intentionally struck them as they were walking west on Diamond Avenue.
Police said the driver left the scene and abandoned the car.
Valenzuela was arrested Thursday and held without bail in Montgomery County jail, awaiting a 1 p.m. court hearing Friday.
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