Gaithersburg Teen Charged In Wheaton Metro Homicide: Police

GAITHERSBURG, MD — A Gaithersburg teen has been arrested and charged with murder, in connection with the May 18 shooting death of an 18-year-old in the Wheaton Metro station, authorities said.

Emmanuel Leonard Simmonds, 16, is accused of fatally shooting Tenneson Vaughn Leslie Jr., of Greenbelt, on the Metro train platform following a fight. Montgomery County Police detectives learned that Simmonds and other boys were on the escalator, along with Leslie and a group of friends, when a fight between the two groups occurred.

As the confrontation escalated, police said Simmonds shot Leslie before boarding a train and leaving the scene.

According to a news release, once detectives identified Simmonds as the suspected shooter, a warrant for his arrest was requested. Simmonds is charged as an adult 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.

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

Simmonds was arrested at home Wednesday and taken to the Montgomery County Central Processing Unit.

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