May 1, 2010

No word on suspects in Principal Betts' murder

WASHINGTON - On a day that was supposed to be happy, investigators still have no arrests and no named suspects on what would have been murdered Shaw Middle School Principal Brian Betts' 43rd birthday. "Detectives are aware that it was his birthday," Montgomery County Police Capt. Paul Starks tells WTOP. "And they're aware that a memorial is scheduled for Saturday." Starks would give no indication whether police were closing in on whomever shot Betts in his Silver Spring home. Betts' body was discovered by police April 15.

Police have said they believe at least two suspects may be responsible for Betts' murder and the robbery of his SUV and several items of value that police say were taken from his home.

"It would be symbolic and healing for people on his birthday and at the memorial to not be talking about the criminal case, but we have wanted to close this case since we first heard about it."

Students, teachers, and parents from Shaw Middle School at Garnet-Patterson, where Betts led for about 18 months, are holding a private tribute Thursday. Still, Starks says police are not willing to jeopardize any lives or potential prosecutions by rushing to arrest suspects.

"While we're sensitive to these markers in time and significant dates, we want to close this successfully."

A public memorial service for Betts will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 1, at the Music Center at Strathmore in North Bethesda. SOURCE: WTOP

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