News Releases

Update: Silver Spring Fire Investigation: Sixth Victim Identified

For Immediate Release: Thursday, August 25, 2016

Detectives from the Montgomery County Police – Major Crimes Division, with the assistance of the Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), and the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME), have now positively identified six of the victims located deceased at the scene of an explosion and fire at apartment buildings located at  8701 and 8703 Arliss Avenue.

On Friday, August 19, investigators positively identified three victims as, Maria Auxiliadorai Castellon-Martinez, age 53, Augusto Jimenez Sr., age 62, and Saul Paniagua, age 65.

On Tuesday, August 23, investigators positively identified two victims as Deibi “David” Samir Lainez Morales, age 8 and Fernando Josue Hernandez Orellana, age 3.

Today, investigators are identifying an additional victim as Aseged Mekonen, age 34.

Investigators continue their work with the ATF and OCME to identify the remaining victim.

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Release ID: 16-219
Media Contact: mcpnews 
Categories: uncategorized