Crime

Per MCPD: Several people were injured and transported to area hospitals following an early morning shooting in Layhill. Montgomery County Department of Police 4th District officers responded to the rear of the Sole D’italia restaurant in the Norbeck-Layhill community at approximately 12:15 a.m., after multiple reports of shots being fired.

Investigators learned that there was an argument inside of the restaurant that spilled into the parking lot, where shots were fired. Investigators are working to determine who was involved in the shooting. This is an active investigation.


MCPD

Montgomery County Police tweeted the following on Thursday, Iuly 9: “The K9 Unit has new agility equipment thanks to Boy Scout Kage Tupa. For his Eagle Scout Service Project, Kage planned, proposed, built and replaced agility equipment that was more than a decade old.

He completed all the logistical work and got the necessary materials. Over two weekends, Kage built the equipment with the help of the K9 Unit, MCP Cadets, numerous parents and about 30 Boy Scouts from Trip 1094.


Bethesda

Target is kicking off its back-to-school and back-to-college season, announcing deep savings events and season-long deals to make back-to-school shopping easy and affordable for its guests. New this year, Target is also expanding its popular Teacher Appreciation Event to give teachers a one-time 20% discount on an entire shopping trip and bringing back a one-time 20% discount on an entire shopping trip for verified college students through Target Circle, the retailer’s free-to-join loyalty program. With deals starting at under $1 and most under $15, Target is offering even more ways to save as students and teachers prepare to return to school.

“Our back-to-school and back-to-college assortment features a broad range of essentials that are priced right for all families. From on-trend Cat & Jack outfits and fun and functional Room Essentials dorm décor, to supplies of all kinds from Mondo Llama and top national brands, Target has everything to help students from pre-K to college start the school year in affordable style,” said Jill Sando, executive vice president and chief merchandising officer, Target. “We’re also pleased to expand our 20% teacher discount across the entire store and on Target.com, to provide teachers with even greater value on the items they need for their classrooms. Both teachers and students can count on Target for all their school-year gear at great prices.”


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Crime

According to the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office, “After a bench trial in the Circuit Court for Montgomery County, MD, the Honorable Karla Smith found defendant, Erick Odir Vidal-Fuentes, 39, of Hyattsville, guilty of Second-Degree Rape and Fourth-Degree Sex Offense. The trial concluded Tuesday, July 11, 2023.  Vidal-Fuentes faces up to 20 years in prison when he is sentenced on October 4th, 2023 at 9 a.m.

This stems from an incident on September 29th, 2020, at the Iglesia Pentecostal El Fin Viene on the 7500 block of New Hampshire Ave. in Takoma Park, where Vidal-Fuentes was serving as pastor. The victim was a parishioner. Vidal-Fuentes currently has another case pending for assault on an additional parishioner who came forward and testified during this trial.


Gaithersburg

The Holiday Inn, which has been located at 2 Montgomery Village Avenue in Gaithersburg since it was built in 1972, has reopened after being closed for approximately three years. A representative from the hotel told us that it reopened in late June. The hotel initially closed in 2020 due to Covid restrictions.

After its closure in 2020, B.F. Saul Company worked with Montgomery County’s Housing Opportunities Commission (HOC) on a plan to convert the Holiday Inn into affordable senior living. In February 2021, the Gaithersburg City Council approved an amendment that stated properties zoned for commercial, employment and industrial uses could not have residential uses in those zones, which thwarted plans for the planned conversion. “We’re clarifying that when we have a commercial zone, we mean commercial and not residential” Gaithersburg Mayor Jud Ashman stated at the meeting.


DMV

Metro is inviting fans from around the world to ride Metro to see the Major League Soccer All-Star Game. To commemorate the occasion, Metro is releasing a limited-edition MLS All-Star SmarTrip® card, ahead of the big game.

Per Metro: “We’re really excited to welcome MLS Soccer, its players, and fans for the All-Star Game,” said Clarke. “Come on out to root for the All-Star festivities and cheer on the best of MLS against as they take on the Premier League’s Arsenal FC and take in the All-Star festivities. It’s a quick and easy ride away on Metro without all the hassle of traffic and parking.”


Crime

Per Montgomery County Police: Fourth District officers responded to multiple reports of shots fired at approximately 12:15 a.m., followed by multiple reports of people shot to the rear of the Sole D’Italia Restaurant in the Norbeck-Layhill community.

Officers arrived on scene and found four victims with gunshot wounds. Two of the gunshot victims sustained serious, but non-life-threatening injuries; and the third and fourth victims sustained minor injuries. A fifth gunshot victim was transported by private automobile to an area hospital and was treated for a minor injury.  Officers applied a tourniquet to one of the victims.


MCFRS

There is an active HazMat incident that is being investigated by Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Seevices (MCFRS) and other agencies in the area of Longview Lane and Macduff Avenue in Olney. The investigation has been ongoing since the early afternoon and will continue into tonight and possibly tomorrow.

According to Assistant Chief Ogren of MCFRS, the new owners of a home, that has been unoccupied for an extended period of time, attempted to take items to the county transfer station and set off some sensors while there. They were told to go home, where they called 911. MCFRS crews arrived to conduct testing and a visual inspection showed chemicals and boxes with unknown contents including older military ammo containers (no ammo in them). Contrary to rumors, no nuclear materials were found. Some items have not yet been positively identified, but have not tested as a threat. MCFRS does not believe this is a danger to the community and have allowed occupants of surrounding homes back inside, though access issues remain due to the investigation.


Beyond MoCo

A Montgomery County man is $50,000 richer after purchasing a winning Pick 5 lottery ticket at a Hyattsville convenience store. Back in May, the same man won a combined $200,000 after purchasing four winning Pick 5 tickets. Story below courtesy of the Maryland Lottery:

“Pick 5 is a sizzling hot game for a lucky Silver Spring player, who returned to the Lottery Winner’s Circle this week to claim his fifth $50,000 prize this year. In May, the 43-year-old arrived at Lottery headquarters in Baltimore to claim a combined  $200,000 Pick 5 prize comprised of four $50,000 winning tickets. The Montgomery County resident also bought his latest winning ticket at Hyattsville Convenience Store, which sold him the four previous winning tickets. The big difference came in the random numbers he selected – 98557 – in the July 10 drawing and the numbers of tickets he purchased with the same number.


MoCo Government

Per Montgomery County: “Montgomery Connects,” Montgomery County’s digital equity and inclusion program, has launched a new program to distribute 34,000 free laptop computers to low-income families. There is a limit of one computer per address. Eligible recipients must be Maryland residents, but do not need to be U.S. citizens.

Qualifications to receive a computer include:


MCPD

For reasons still under investigation, Ramsay is alleged to have shot Bailey as he was walking with a group of people in the parking garage. There is no known connection between the suspect and the victim.  On Sunday, July 9, 2023, detectives obtained an arrest warrant charging Ramsay with first-degree murder and other related charges. Ramsay, who has no known address, was arrested on Wednesday, July 12, 2023, and taken into custody without incident. He has been transported to the Montgomery County Central Processing Unit, where he was served with the warrant. This remains an active investigation.