News Releases

Suspect Charged With Attempted First Degree Murder in Wheaton Stabbing

For Immediate Release: Thursday, April 25, 2013

On April 16 at approximately 10:00 p.m., 4th District officers responded to the area of Georgia Avenue and Reedie Drive in Wheaton for the report of a possible pedestrian struck by a vehicle.

Officers located the 18-year-old male victim and determined that he had been stabbed all over his body.  Montgomery County Fire&Rescue responded to the scene and transported the victim, with life-threatening injuries, to a local trauma center.   It was later determined that the victim had been stabbed approximately 16 times.

Investigation by 4th District Detectives have determined that the suspect, DEVANTE RYAN MCNEIL, had stated to a friend earlier that day that he was angry with the victim regarding a prior incident involving himself and the victim; McNeil also stated he wanted to fight the victim.  That evening, McNeil located the victim in the lobby of an apartment building in the 11100 block of Georgia Avenue.  McNeil punched the victim in the face and then began to stab him.  The victim was able to grab the knife from McNeil and flee out of the building to Georgia Avenue.  McNeil also fled the scene.  A passerby saw the victim and called police.

Investigators have confirmed that McNeil and the victim knew each other prior to this incident and this was not a stranger based event.  Video surveillance obtained by detectives show McNeil and the victim leaving the building after the assault.  Officers also located the knife used in the stabbing.

On April 17, detectives obtained an arrest warrant for DEVANTE RYAN MCNEIL, age 20, of an unconfirmed address, charging him with attempted first degree murder, first degree assault, and reckless endangerment.  McNeil was arrested without incident on April 18 in Silver Spring.  The victim has been released from the hospital and is recovering at home.





RLI

# # #

Release ID: 13-128
Media Contact: mcpnews 
Categories: press-releases