Girl Arrested For Beating Man Who Crawled Into Traffic, Died

SILVER SPRING, MD — A teenager from Silver Spring has been charged as an adult in the murder of a man police say was beaten and robbed before he was fatally struck by two cars in Silver Spring.

Gregory Jonathan Atwood, 40, of Silver Spring was killed just before 3:50 a.m. on June 8 at the intersection of Georgia Avenue at Hewitt Avenue. Arriving officers found him dead in the southbound lanes of Georgia Avenue. Police say three suspects beat and robbed Atwood before he was struck and killed by two separate vehicles. Detectives are still searching for the drivers.

Police announced the arrest of Ashley Elizabeth Bonilla, 15, on Wednesday. She is charged as an adult with first-degree murder and armed robbery. Bonilla is the third suspect to be charged in Atwood's death. Mohammed Salous, 17, and Kenneth Sahr Kpakima, 21, were previously charged in the murder.

The suspects allegedly stole Atwood's backpack and assaulted him, police said. Atwood then "fell backward into a wooded area adjacent to the intersection of Georgia and Hewitt Avenues."

Police said Salous and Kpakima followed him into the woods and continued to assault him. Kpakima then allegedly stole Atwood's wallet.

Police said the assault was captured on video surveillance with audio.

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The three assailants allegedly watched Atwood crawl out of the woods and toward the 13500 block of Georgia Ave. He entered the roadway and collapsed.

"The suspects watched the victim lay motionless on the road and then watched a vehicle run over the victim. The suspects then fled from the area," police said.

Police believe Atwood was struck by at least two cars. The drivers did not remain on the scene, police said.

One of the involved vehicles is possibly a 2011 Chrysler 200 or a 2011 Dodge Avenger, police previously said. The second vehicle is believed to be a light-colored Dodge Durango.

"There is considerable vehicle and foot traffic in the area of Georgia Avenue at Hewitt Avenue, even at the time when this robbery and subsequent hit and run collision occurred," police said in a statement. "CRU investigators are urging anyone who may have witnessed this collision, who were in the area around the time of this collision, saw something suspicious, or may have any information about this collision, to please call the 4th District Police Station at 240-773-6620. Callers may remain anonymous."

Salous was charged as an adult with assault-related offenses, police said. Kpakima was charged with assault and armed robbery offenses.

Bonilla will have bond review Wednesday in Rockville District Court.

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