Patrick Herron, Author at The MoCo Show

Man Accused of Killing Shell Station Employee and 8-Month Pregnant Woman Ruled Not Competent to Stand Trial

Published December 19, 2022 at 4:28PM

Per the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office: Today in the District Court in Rockville for Montgomery County, MD, defendant, Torrey Moore, appeared before the Honorable Amy Bills for a bond hearing for the charges of first-degree murder and use of a firearm in commission of a violent crime for the death of Ayalew Wondimu that was continued from December 15th for a court diagnostic (mental evaluation). After reviewing the report by the Office of Court-Ordered Evaluations and Placements (OCEP) within the Department of Health (MDH), Judge Bills ruled Moore is not competent to stand trial and scheduled a date for a competency hearing on June 13th, 2023. She also scheduled a preliminary hearing for January 6th, 2023.

Last week, State’s Attorney John McCarthy announced Moore is also being charged in the death of a woman and her unborn child. Once the Department of Corrections transports Moore to the Central Processing Unit to be arraigned on those charges he will have an additional bond hearing. Mr. McCarthy spoke with reporters following today’s hearing and that can be seen here.

Bethesda

MCFRS Respond to Elementary School for Smoking Laptop

By Patrick Herron

Published December 19, 2022 at 4:12PM | Updated December 19, 2022 at 4:41PM

ICYMI (12/16) A private Elementary School in Bethesda, @mcfrs responded – laptop battery pack went into ‘thermal runaway’ (child sitting on laptop in classroom, laptop started smoking) Teacher removed hazard from building, fire alarm was activated & bldg evacuated, no injuries https://t.co/OktIXcieZd pic.twitter.com/Ek6nPCzS3R

— Pete Piringer (@mcfrsPIO) December 19, 2022

Silver Spring

(Located) Detectives From Special Investigations Unit are Asking For Public’s Assistance in Locating Missing 13-Year Old

By Patrick Herron

Published December 19, 2022 at 3:50PM | Updated December 21, 2022 at 10:53AM

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Samar Hammad is asked to call the police non-emergency number at (301)279-8000 (24-hour line) or the Special Victims Investigations Division at (240) 773-5400. Callers may remain anonymous.

Rockville

Rockville Police Ask for Assistance Locating Missing 19-Year-Old

By Patrick Herron

Published December 19, 2022 at 3:33PM

The Rockville City Police are attempting to locate a missing teenager last seen at the Rockville Library (21 Maryland Ave) on December 11. Per RCPD:” Missing -Julia Echo Ames, 19, last seen at Rockville Library on 12/11/22 wearing a dark blue tank top, light gray windbreaker jacket, zebra print leggings, small blue backpack. Concern for her welfare. Call RCPD CIU at 240-314-8938 with info. A photo of Julia Ames is included.”

Missing -Julia Echo Ames, 19, last seen at Rockville Library on 12/11/22 wearing a dark blue tank top, light gray windbreaker jacket, zebra print leggings, small blue backpack. Concern for her welfare. Call RCPD CIU at 240-314-8938 with info. A photo of Julia Ames is included. pic.twitter.com/9NK9DqGhDf

Beyond MoCo

Beyond MoCo: Body-Worn Camera Footage from November’s Fatal Police-Involved Shooting in Frederick Released

By Patrick Herron

Published December 19, 2022 at 3:21PM

Per the Maryland State’s Attorney’s Office: The Independent Investigations Division (IID) of the Office of the Attorney General today released the body-worn camera footage from the fatal police-involved shooting that occurred on November 29, 2022, in Frederick, Maryland. The decedent was previously identified as 23-year-old Aaron Mensah, of Frederick, Maryland.

The Independent Investigations Division will generally release the name of the decedent and discharging officers within 48 hours of the incident, though that period may be extended if there is a specific reason to believe that an officer’s safety is at risk. The deputies who discharged their firearms were not equipped with body-worn cameras. Other officers on the scene were wearing body-worn cameras, which recorded portions of the incident. The Independent Investigations Division will generally release body camera footage within 14 days of an incident. There may be situations where more than 14 days is necessary, including if investigators need more time to complete witness interviews, if there are technical delays caused by the need to shield the identities of civilian witnesses, or to allow family members to view the video before it is released to the public.

Takoma Park

Arrests Made for Attempted First Degree Murder After Shooting at Sports Bar

By Patrick Herron

Published December 19, 2022 at 12:16PM

Per the Takoma Park Police Department: Chief Antonio DeVaul from the Takoma Park Police Department announces the arrests of Luis Samuel Rios Rodriguez, 35, of no fixed address and Abed Jonathan Midence-Lopez, 39, of Greenbelt, Maryland, for multiple offenses. Rodriguez was charged with attempted first degree murder, first degree assault, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, and second degree assault. Midence-Lopez was charged with conspiracy to all of the listed charges.

On December 18, 2022, at approximately 2:47 pm, Takoma Park Police responded to the 7600 block of New Hampshire Avenue, Takoma Park, Maryland. (Barriles Restaurant & Sports Bar) for shots fired with injuries. Upon officers arrival, both suspects were exiting the establishment to leave but were detained.

Germantown

Germantown Plaza Update (Openings, Closings, and Coming Soon)

By Patrick Herron

Published December 19, 2022 at 12:03PM

Below is a list of several recent openings and closings in the Germantown Plaza shopping center on Wisteria Dr. in Germantown.

Montgomery Parks

Montgomery Parks wins five “Best in Maryland” awards from the Public Relations Society of America, Maryland Chapter

By Patrick Herron

Published December 19, 2022 at 10:50AM

Per Montgomery Parks: Montgomery Parks, part of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC), received top awards in creative marketing campaigns and initiatives from the Public Relations Society of America, Maryland Chapter (PRSA Maryland) at its 2022 Best in Maryland Awards on December 8, 2022, where 28 awards were given across over 20 categories. Each year PRSA Maryland presents awards to communication professionals who have successfully addressed a communications challenge with exemplary professional skill, creativity and resourcefulness.

“It’s exciting and an honor to be recognized for these projects that have been so impactful for park users,” said Mike Riley, director of Montgomery Parks. “The pandemic years were challenging for everyone and we are proud of our efforts to bring awareness of all the benefits of our park system to the community during that time.”

Maryland

Governor Hogan Welcomes Israeli Ambassador, Jewish Leaders to Government House For Annual Hanukkah Brunch

By Patrick Herron

Published December 19, 2022 at 10:22AM

Today’s event included a menorah lighting as well as remarks by Israeli Ambassador Michael Herzog; Dr. Zipora Schorr, Director of Education of the Beth Tfiloh Dahan Community School in Baltimore; and Rabbi Stuart Weinblatt, President of the Rabbinic Cabinet of the Jewish Federations of North America. Representatives of Jewish councils and federations also took part in today’s candle lighting ceremony. Senior Chief Musician Devona Schiller of the United States Naval Academy performed God Bless America.

The bronze menorah was designed by artist Zachary Oxman, and donated to Government House by Phyllis and Leonard Attman. Also on display was a menorah given to the state of Maryland by Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.

Takoma Park

One Person in Critical Condition After Sunday Afternoon Shooting

By Patrick Herron

Published December 18, 2022 at 7:31PM

The Takoma Park Police Department tweeted the following on Sunday, December 18 at 5:30pm: “At approx 2:47 pm, Takoma Park Police responded to the 7600 bk of New Hampshire Ave for shots fired w/injuries. An adult male victim was shot & is currently in critical condition. Two suspects are in custody. Investigation is active. Please call 301-270-1100 if you have info.” We will post an update when additional information is released.

At approx 2:47 pm, Takoma Park Police responded to the 7600 bk of New Hampshire Ave for shots fired w/injuries. An adult male victim was shot & is currently in critical condition. Two suspects are in custody. Investigation is active. Please call 301-270-1100 if you have info. pic.twitter.com/cDW5NLGa3C

Beyond MoCo

Beyond MoCo: Giraffe and Zebra Bones Confiscated at Dulles Airport

By Patrick Herron

Published December 18, 2022 at 3:39PM

Per U.S. Customs and Border Protection: There’s nothing funny about the bones that U.S. Customs and Border Protection agriculture specialists recently discovered in the baggage of a Virginia woman at Washington Dulles International Airport. During a secondary baggage examination on November 10, CBP agriculture specialists discovered bones that the Fauquier County, Va., woman admitted were giraffe and zebra bones she found in Kenya and kept as souvenirs. CBP detained the bones and checked with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) inspectors on admissibility.

On November 17, USFWS inspectors reported that the bones violated provisions of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), the Endangered Species Act (ESA), and the Lacey Act. USFWS directed CBP to seize the bones.