News Releases

Wheaton Metro Homicide Suspect Arrested

For Immediate Release: Wednesday, May 24, 2023

Gaithersburg, MD - A Gaithersburg teen has been arrested and charged with murder, in connection with the shooting death of an 18-year-old inside of the Wheaton Metro station on Thursday, May 18, 2023.

16-year-old Emmanuel Leonard Simmonds is accused of shooting and killing Tenneson Vaughn Leslie, Jr., of Greenbelt, on the Metro train platform following an altercation. Montgomery County Department of Police – Major Crimes detectives learned that Simmonds and other juvenile males were on the escalator, along with Leslie, Jr., and a group of friends, when a physical altercation between the two groups occurred.

The altercation escalated and Simmonds allegedly shot Leslie, Jr. before boarding a train and leaving the scene.

Detectives were able to identify Simmonds as the shooter, and a warrant for his arrest was requested. Simmonds is charged with second-degree murder and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony. He is also charged with first-degree assault, reckless endangerment and possession of a loaded handgun. Simmonds has been charged as an adult in this murder.

A 14-year-old was also arrested in this case and is being charged with accessory after the fact, for his role in the death of Leslie, Jr.

Simmonds was arrested at home and has been transported to the Montgomery County Central Processing Unit.

Any charges for the 14-year-old will be processed through the Maryland juvenile justice system.

(Note: A mugshot of Simmonds will not be released because he is a juvenile).

 

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Release ID: 23-293
Media Contact: S.D. Goff 
Categories: arrest