Reward Money Doubled In Death Of 2 Teens, Police Continue To Investigate

MONTGOMERY VILLAGE, Md. (WJZ) — Police say the fatal shooting of two Maryland teens on the eve of their high school graduation was not random.

Investigators say they are looking for more information to help find the suspects responsible.

Friends and classmates came together on Friday night to remember the lives tragically cut short.

The entire community is hopeful the killers will be brought to justice.

Montgomery County Police now say they believe the deadly and violent shooting of Shadi Najjar and his friend Artem Ziberov was not random.

The teens were found in Najjar's car seven miles from their homes in Germantown. The two had been reportedly trying to sell tickets to their upcoming graduation.

Investigators say they found 30 shell casings at the scene, fired from multiple guns.

"I can tell you one of the victims was shot ten times. Another of the victims was shot four times," says Captain Darren Francke with Montgomery County Police.

Police confirmed an authentic recording of the shooting.

"We can't imagine what someone did to deserve this fate, and we want to appeal to those out there that have the information," says Capt. Francke.

Students at the teen's high school are especially shocked. However, police believe students may no more about the case than they're letting on.

Friday evening at Northwest High, students gathered for a private vigil to remember the lives of two of their fellow classmates, who were seemingly killed in cold blood right before graduation.

"They were young boys they had plenty of potential," says a classmate.

"Say and tell them who did it you know who did it," says Shadi's mother.

"I keep asking myself this question over and over, why was someone targeting my boy?" says Shadi's father, Adi Najjar.

Until that and many other questions are answered, this community has come together to remember two lives tragically cut short.

"Just coming together, I think strengthens the community in times like this," says Nidhi Allani.

The investigation is ongoing. It remains unclear at this point what the two teens were doing in the area the night they were gunned down.

The reward for information that leads to an arrest on the two deaths has now been increased to $20,000.

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