News Releases

Update: Arrest Made in Transgender Homicide

For Immediate Release: Saturday, October 17, 2015

On Friday, October 16 at approximately 8:00 p.m., Montgomery County police arrested a 20-year-old male for the October 15th homicide of DeAndre Smith, also known as Zella Ziona.  Ziona was shot while in a service alley to the rear of a Montgomery Village shopping center.  The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner ruled her death a homicide caused by multiple gunshot wounds.

Rico Hector Leblond, of the 12700 block of Wisteria Drive in Germantown, was arrested at the Germantown Transit Center located at 19945 Aircraft Drive in Germantown.  He was taken into custody without incident.

Investigation by detectives from the Major Crimes Division lead to the identification of Rico Leblond.  Investigators learned that Ziona and Leblond knew each other and had some degree of friendship prior to Ziona's murder. .

Rico Leblond has been charged with 1st degree murder.  He is being held without bond.  A bond review is scheduled for Monday, October 19 at 1:00 p.m. in Rockville.

PRS

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Release ID: 15-333
Media Contact: mcpnews 
Categories: homicide, press-releases