News Releases

Detectives Continue to Investigate January 2017 Double Homicide at Westfield Wheaton Mall; Ask for Public's Help to Identify Suspect

For Immediate Release: Saturday, August 25, 2018

Major Crimes detectives continue to investigate the January 10, 2017, homicides of Angel Alfredo Gomez-Pineda, age 24, of Silver Spring, and Kevin Siloe Moya Cruz, age 22, of Wheaton.  The two victims were stabbed by an unknown black male in the Westfield Wheaton Mall.  At this time, leads in the case have been exhausted.  Detectives are releasing video surveillance and photographs of the suspect and are asking for the public's help in identifying him.

On Tuesday, January 10, at approximately 3:17 p.m., the Emergency Communications Center (ECC) received a 9-1-1 call for an assault and possible stabbings that had just occurred inside of the Westfield Wheaton Mall located at 11160 Veirs Mill Road in Wheaton. Officers from the 4th District and Fire and Rescue personnel responded to the mall and located Cruz and Gomez-Pineda on the lower level of the mall suffering from apparent stab wounds. Both victims were transported to area hospitals with life-threatening injuries and succumbed to their injuries at the hospital.

During this investigation, detectives spoke with witnesses to the assault and reviewed mall video surveillance.  Investigation revealed that the two victims approached the suspect in the lower level of the mall.  The suspect and victims began to argue and became involved in a physical altercation.  After a short time, the three men stopped fighting and the suspect and two victims went their separate ways.  Approximately 15 minutes later, the two victims, who were now accompanied by two additional males, again approached the suspect.  The group of four males armed themselves with bamboo sticks that were being used as exterior decoration of a mall restaurant. A second altercation began between the suspect and group of men.  The suspect produced a knife and during the fight he stabbed Cruz and Gomez-Pineda.  The two victims collapsed in the mall.  The suspect fled from the area.

Detectives urge anyone who may have information about the identity of this suspect or double homicide to contact the Major Crimes Division at 240-773-5070. For those who wish to remain anonymous, you may call Crimes Solvers of Montgomery County toll-free at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477).  Crime Solvers will pay a cash reward of up to $10,000 for information provided to them that leads to an arrest and/or indictment of the suspect. Tipsters will remain anonymous.

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Release ID: 18-361
Media Contact: mcpnews 
Categories: homicide, uncategorized