The household of Charles Joseph “Joe” Reynolds spoke out Saturday to share reminiscences of the husband, father and volunteer who was “all the time keen to exit of his means to assist,” a month after he was fatally shot in a downtown Silver Spring storage.

Police report they don’t have any suspect in his demise.

Reynolds, 62, was slain Dec. 21 in a Wayne Avenue storage after a household outing to a restaurant. He was placing leftovers in his automotive earlier than he was to hitch up with relations for ice cream at Ben & Jerry’s. 

He was a “devoted husband and a tremendous guardian” to his three daughters, recalled his widow, Karis Hastings, a lawyer. 

“Every one in every of us knew unconditionally that if there was one thing inside Joe’s energy that may make our lives simpler or higher, Joe would do it with out ever being requested,” Hastings mentioned in a press release to Bethesda Beat. “Joe embraced his daughters’ pursuits with enthusiasm, rejoiced of their accomplishments, and did no matter he may to assist their actions. He attended subject hockey and golf matches, math competitions, softball tournaments, educational shows, performs and musicals, and numerous soccer video games.”

Reynolds had studied electrical engineering at Auburn College. After working for the federal authorities for a few years, he retired and took a job at the MIT Lincoln Laboratory to work in nationwide safety, together with U.S. Cyber Command, in line with a web based obituary.

Reynolds loved nothing greater than spending time along with his household, particularly via out of doors actions reminiscent of mountain climbing, biking, disc golf and pickleball, in line with the household. He was athletic and helpful.

He was instrumental in serving to the Takoma Park Presbyterian Church connect with Zoom providers in the course of the pandemic, in line with the obituary, and volunteered as an IT supervisor with the nonprofit Group Well being and Empowerment via Training and Analysis (CHEER).

“Joe was the perfect of us, an exemplary human being,” in line with Bruce Baker, co-founder and govt director of CHEER. 

“He noticed issues and stuck them. He by no means requested for something in return. He gave with out ever being requested and declined compensation or reimbursement,” Baker wrote in an electronic mail to Bethesda Beat. “His clarification was ‘You [at CHEER] are good at serving to folks. My job is to deal with issues I can deal with so you may concentrate on what you do effectively.’ Every time there was a technical downside or challenge, he discovered what was wanted and stuck it.”

“We loved his heat, loving kindness, and dialog. We miss him terribly. Our deepest condolences go to his household for whom he displayed such love and care,” Baker wrote.

Reynolds’ household echoed these sentiments.

“Joe had a tremendously beneficiant spirit and was all the time keen to exit of his means to assist his household, buddies, or group. It’s not that he didn’t worth his time – he simply valued the power to be helpful much more,” Hastings mentioned in her assertion. “When you had a pc downside, a automotive that wouldn’t begin, a malfunctioning equipment, or nearly some other form of electrical or mechanical concern, Joe would do his finest to repair it. And should you wanted to get someplace or have one thing picked up or dropped off, Joe would willingly do the driving, spending hours in his automotive, working errands for others.”

An alcove in a stairwell of the Wayne Avenue storage homes a makeshift memorial, with bouquets of crimson and yellow roses, a candle adorned by the Virgin Mary and a police flier providing a $10,000 reward for data “on the homicide of Joe Reynolds *loving husband, father, pal.”

At a information convention held shortly after the taking pictures, Montgomery County Police Chief Marcus Jones mentioned police had no leads on the shooter. In a Jan. 20 electronic mail to Bethesda Beat, Montgomery County Police Division’s Director of Public Info Shiera Goff mentioned there have been no updates in Reynolds’ case.

Requested concerning the case, County Govt Marc Elrich acknowledged Reynolds’ taking pictures was the one murder that occurred within the downtown Silver Spring space final 12 months. “It’s a horrible factor that occurred, and it makes everyone really feel insecure. So, we’ve acquired to take care of that insecurity. We’ve got to ensure the police are adequately staffed,” Elrich mentioned.

County Council Member Kate Stewart, a pal of the household for a few years, mentioned the entire group is affected by the tragedy.

“Joe led his life in service to his group and household. I be a part of the Reynolds and Hastings households of their grief and carry Joe’s reminiscence with me as we proceed our work to make our group a spot the place all really feel welcome and protected,” she mentioned in a press release to Bethesda Beat.

Reynolds’ household members mentioned they are heartbroken about his demise. 

“We hope that the many individuals whose lives Joe touched will honor his reminiscence,” Hastings wrote, “by being slightly extra like him – giving of their time and skills to assist others.”