Wounded Murder Suspect Who Left Hospital Is Apprehended

Montgomery County police on Tuesday night arrested a wounded murder suspect who earlier had left a hospital before detectives had a chance to apprehend him, authorities said.

Winston D. Dillon, 39, was wearing a leg splint when he was taken into custody about 9:30 p.m., without incident, in the 9400 block of Ardwick-Ardmore Road in Upper Marlboro, police said. He was charged with first-degree murder in the Aug. 30 shooting death of Clarence Rankine in SilverSpring.

A second suspect in the case, Vincent L. Minto, 39, remained at large Wednesday, police said.

Detectives haven't determined how Dillon received the gunshot wound but are investigating whether it occurred at the murder scene. At least 12 rounds were exchanged during a shootout in the 900 block of University Boulevard East, where Rankine had hosted an early morning gathering that led to an argument between him and other men, according to police.

Officers were called to Rankine's home at about 5 a.m. They found him dead near a side door.

A short time later, police learned that two men were being treated at a nearby hospital for gunshot wounds. One man was Dillon. Police declined to identify the second man.

It remains unclear how the wounded suspect, Dillon, left Washington Hospital Center last week. Paula Faria, a hospital spokeswoman, said Dillon signed himself out against medical advice. Montgomery police said in a statement that he left against hospital procedure and without signing himself out.

Dillon had not been served with a warrant and was not under arrest when he left the hospital, authorities said.

Police described Minto as a black man, 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighing 175 pounds. Police ask anyone with information about the shooting to call 240-773-5070 or 301-279-8000. Callers may remain anonymous.