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Man arrested for Labor Day shooting that injured 3 in Montgomery Co.

A Layhill, Maryland, man has been arrested for shooting three people, including his mother, and killing one of them on Monday, according to Montgomery County police.

Police say 23-year-old Manuel Alejandro Ayala has been charged with first degree murder, two counts of attempted first degree murder and numerous firearm related charges.

According to a news release, police officers and fire rescue personnel responded to a shooting around 7:54 p.m. in the 14200 block of Punch Street in Aspen Hill.

Officers say they located an adult male on the street suffering from a gunshot wound when they arrived. He was transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

In a nearby home, officers say they also found 65-year-old Rosa Maria Benitez-Ozuna, of Layhill, who had died before they were on the scene.

They also located the suspect’s mother, who was suffering from multiple gunshot wounds, and transported her to a hospital in serious condition.

Ayala is a resident of the home, according to authorities. Police identified him as a suspect and quickly took him into custody without incident.

He is currently being held at the Montgomery County Central Processing Unit and awaiting a bond hearing.

WTOP’s Dick Uliano contributed to this report. 

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