18-year-old dead in Wheaton Metro shooting, police investigating as homicide
WHEATON, Md. - A shooting inside the Wheaton Metro Station is under investigation as a homicide after one victim succumbed to his injuries.
Shiera Goff, the director of public information for the Montgomery County Police Department, said the shooting began with an altercation on the escalator. A confrontation between a group of people on the top floor carried on to the platform where Goff said an 18-year-old was shot.
"We are grateful that no one else was shot or killed during this incident," Goff said.
On Friday, police identified the victim as Tenneson Vaughn Leslie, Jr., of Greenbelt. An investigation revealed that Leslie Jr. was at the station with a group of friends.
His friends, police said, were involved in the altercation with the other group on the escalator.
When Montgomery County police and Metro Transit police officers arrived at the scene they found Leslie Jr. with a gunshot wound. He was transported to a local hospital in critical condition, and later died.
A WMATA spokesperson said the shooting was reported at the station just before 6:00 p.m.
Initial reports stated that responding officials found the victim inside the station, and WMATA said that person was pronounced dead at the scene, despite lifesaving measures being performed. WMATA later stated Leslie Jr. was not dead and was in critical condition. Metro Police told FOX 5 Friday that the 18-year-old died due to his injuries, and the incident is now being investigated as a homicide.
A search for the suspects is underway.
Wheaton Station was closed, and Red Line service was skipping the stop between Silver Spring and Glenmont during the investigation.
Shuttle bus service was established for affected customers.
Montgomery County police are taking the lead on this investigation. Goff said releasing the surveillance video at this time would not be "beneficial to the investigation."
This is a developing story. Check back with FOX 5 for updates.