Teen fatally shot in Long Branch

Montgomery County police are investigating a fatal shooting that took place late Tuesday night, August 19, 2025, in the Long Branch area of Silver Spring. Jaril Verde Murillo, 17, was walking with two other male teenagers along a path toward the Foxhall Apartments sometime after 11:00 PM Tuesday night. An unknown suspect or suspects opened fire on the group, and Verde Murillo was hit once. He collapsed into the roadway in the 700 block of University Boulevard East.

Police officers and Montgomery County Fire and Rescue service personnel arrived at the scene at 11:28 PM, and found Verde Murillo in the road. They attempted lifesaving measures, but Verde Murillo was tragically declared dead at the scene. His body was transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, where the cause and manner of death were determined to be homicide by gunshot wound.

Police say that at this time, there is no suspect information available, and no arrests have been made.

Anyone with information regarding possible suspects or this crime is asked to contact Crime Solvers of Montgomery County. Tips can be submitted anonymously at www.crimesolversmcmd.org by clicking the "Submit a Tip" link, or by calling 1-866-411-TIPS (8477). Tips leading to an arrest may be eligible for a reward ranging from $250 to $10,000.

French laser firm chooses Virginia over Maryland for U.S. headquarters

Say it isn't so! Montgomery County and Maryland have lost yet another economic development competition to Arlington County and Virginia. French laser firm Cailabs SAS wanted to move its U.S. headquarters out of Washington, D.C., but remain in the region. It announced yesterday that it had chosen the booming Rosslyn area of Arlington as the destination for the company's U.S. operations. Cailabs will move into 4,200-square-feet of office space at the gleaming Class A office building at 1530 Wilson Boulevard. The company will also add 16 new employees.

Many of Cailabs' employees hold PhDs, and the company has filed over 25 patents. It specializes in the design and manufacturing of advanced laser-light products for the defense, aerospace, telecommunications, and manufacturing industries. The Rosslyn location provides quick access to both Reagan National and Dulles International airports, as well as Metro and I-66. Montgomery County and Maryland could have had direct access to Dulles and I-66, but chose to cancel the new Potomac River crossing to Dulles, and the Northwest Freeway, which would have connected to I-66 in Rosslyn. Doh!

Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin toasted his victory Wednesday, as Maryland Governor Wes Moore was declared America's "most-disappointing governor" by economist Anirban Basu, and Moore's chief-of-staff jumped ship as the state's fiscal crisis continues to slam up against its moribund economy and high crime. With plummeting poll numbers, Moore could only look on with envy, in the reflection of fellow White House aspirant Youngkin's stunning laser light show across the Potomac.

“Cailabs’ decision to relocate their U.S. headquarters to Virginia shows that the Commonwealth remains the premier location for global tech companies looking to expand their footprint in the Americas,” Youngkin said in a statement yesterday. “Virginia’s exceptional talent, reliable infrastructure, and proximity to key federal and defense partners gives companies like Cailabs a strategic advantage as they continue to innovate and expand. The Commonwealth is proud to support Cailabs’ mission of paving the way to a bright future with the power of lasers.” 

“When Cailabs first decided to open a U.S. office, they chose Washington. Two years later, when they decided to stay in the US, they chose Virginia. That decision speaks volumes,” said Secretary of Commerce and Trade Juan Pablo Segura. “Logistically, economically, and strategically, Virginia remains the ideal location for tech companies looking to push boundaries and build a thriving business.” 

“Arlington cordially says ‘Bienvenue’ to Cailabs on their decision to establish their U.S. headquarters in Rosslyn, at the heart of our nation’s capital region,” Arlington County Board Chair Takis Karantonis said. “By choosing Arlington, Cailabs joins a community where the nation’s best-prepared, innovative and talented workforce meets exceptional quality of life in an open, welcoming and forward-thinking culture. We are excited to add a leading new technology business to the dense fabric of transatlantic partnerships that connect, strengthen and advance economies, people and values. We look forward to seeing Cailabs grow and succeed here in Arlington.” 

“I’m delighted that Cailabs has chosen to relocate its U.S. headquarters to Arlington County,” said Senator Barbara Favola. “Arlington has leveraged the investments made by the Commonwealth to create a 21st century workforce. In addition to proximity to major airports and our nation’s capital, Arlington offers a world class public education system, great transit options, and a park in every neighborhood. I am sure that Cailabs will feel ‘right at home’ in the diverse and caring Arlington community.” 

Westfield may have mystery buyer for Wheaton Plaza mall

A mystery buyer has emerged for Westfield's Wheaton Plaza mall, creating an equally-mysterious forecast for the property's future. Parent company Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield is now in discussions with a prospective buyer who has expressed willingness to buy the mall property, and the loan and debt currently being carried on it by URW, according to Bisnow. The potential sale price is unknown, but the real estate website reports that the mall was recently reappraised with a value of $136 million, down 66% from its $402 million appraisal in February 2015. 

If the mall were to sell for only $136 million, it could be one of the steals of the century. Obviously, the default on the property's mortgage by URW earlier this year, and the associated debt and complications from that, are a drag on any potential buyer. But the 1.6 million-square-foot property is a massive redevelopment opportunity, right next to a Metro station. The profits of redeveloping that as high-density luxury housing would as enormous as the impact on the surrounding residential neighborhood and Montgomery County infrastructure.

Wheaton bank robbery suspect arrested

Montgomery County police have arrested a suspect in the August 15, 2025 armed robbery of the Capital One bank at 11241 Georgia Avenue in Wheaton. Detectives allege that the man in custody is also the suspect in the August 14, 2025 sexual assault that allegedly took place at a gas station in Rockville the night before. 

Carlos St. James Hover, 34, of Washington, D.C. entered the gas station in Rockville early that evening, police say, and allegedly assaulted and raped the victim inside. Hover was captured by police the next morning in Wheaton. After arriving at the scene of the bank holdup, officers recognized the suspect from the gas station incident the night before. He was allegedly wearing some of the same distinctive pieces of clothing the previous night's rape victim had described to detectives.

Hover was transported to the County's Central Processing Unit where he was charged with first-degree rape, first-degree assault, armed robbery, resisting arrest, and other related crimes. He is being held without bond.

Photo courtesy Montgomery County Police Department

Armed robbery at Wheaton Plaza

Montgomery County police responded to a report of an armed robbery at Westfield's Wheaton Plaza mall early Friday evening. The robbery was reported at the mall, which is located at 11160 Veirs Mill Road, at 7:40 PM Friday. A firearm was the weapon employed in the robbery. 

Police respond to bank robbery in Wheaton

Montgomery County police responded to a report of a bank robbery in progress in Wheaton Friday morning, August 15, 2025. The robbery was reported at a bank in the 11200 block of Georgia Avenue at 9:15 AM Friday. Someone was also allegedly assaulted during the robbery attempt. There is a Capital One bank on that block at 11241 Georgia Avenue.

Smoke shop to replace Record Exchange in Silver Spring

A vape shop has leased the storefront at 8642 Colesville Road in downtown Silver Spring. This was the former home of the venerable Record Exchange. The music, film, and gaming retailer closed last summer. Construction on the smoke shop is anticipated to begin before fall.

Police seeking suspect in White Oak shooting

Montgomery County police are seeking the public's help in identifying and locating a suspect in the July 28, 2025 shooting in the White Oak area of Silver Spring. In a brazen, daylight attack at 9:47 AM, the suspect allegedly shot an adult male victim, whose current condition was not detailed by police. Police describe the suspect only as a Black male of unknown age. If you can identify the alleged shooter, or have any other information about this incident, call police at (301) 279-8000.

Developers train their eyes on "Eastern Silver Spring" next

The Montgomery County cartel is ready to move on communities in what it has rebranded "Eastern Silver Spring." This is a triangular area of eastern Montgomery County roughly bordered by the Colesville Road corridor to the east, the Capital Beltway to the north, the Prince George's County line to the east, and the City of Takoma Park to the south. It's quite a large area, as master plans go. The desire to upzone is made clear by the logo used by the Montgomery County Planning Department, which shows a hulking Thrive 2050 apartment building looming over a single family home. And the mega upzoning allowed by the long-delayed Purple Line is the purple elephant in the room.

A public meeting has been scheduled for September 4, 2025 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, at the Long Branch Community Center at 8700 Piney Branch Road regarding how faith-based institutions "can be part of shaping the [Eastern Silver Spring Communities] plan’s vision for housing, equity, public spaces, sustainability, and neighborhood growth." Yes, having learned nothing from the November 2024 election, the Planning Department is still pushing the equity ......... Pay close attention to the description of this meeting, as it portends much for your future if allowed to advance with no restraints. Using the "Eastern Silver Spring" Anger Translator, we can learn that what this really stands for is developers buying up and demolishing churches, and entering into "partnerships" with other houses of worship to acquire land around their buildings for housing construction.

Many wonderful single-family home residential neighborhoods are contained within the plan area. Whether they stay that way partially depends on the outcome of this master plan. Holding a meeting at 6:00 PM suggests the County does not want many of these hardworking and employed residents to attend - or to attend on an empty stomach at best. Remember, if you're not at the table, you're on the menu. You can RSVP online on the meeting announcement website.

Rheinmetall chooses Virginia over Maryland for U.S. corporate HQ

Montgomery County and Maryland are experiencing another total humiliation on the economic development front. While both have failed to attract a major new corporate headquarters this century, Fairfax County and Virginia have just beaten them once again in the high-stakes contest for yet another major defense firm HQ. This time it is Rheinmetall, the German defense giant that is experiencing off-the-charts boom times, as it is arguably the biggest winner in Germany's push to rearm and create Europe's largest and strongest military. It is also one of the companies producing the most equipment for Ukraine in its war with Russia. Rheinmetall has just leased 10,000-square feet at Metro Place II at 2600 Park Tower Drive in Merrifield in Fairfax County, where it will not only locate its U.S. hub, but also one of its U.S. subsidiaries, American Rheinmetall Munitions, Inc.

Beyond the lighter tax and regulation burden of Northern Virginia, a look at the 2600 Park Tower Drive site itself tells much of the tale of Montgomery County's loss. Metro Place II sits directly beside the highway interchange of the Capital Beltway and Interstate 66, along both of which Virginia has invested enormously in tolled Express Lanes. The Dunn Loring-Merrifield Metro station is directly across the street from the new Rheinmetall HQ. Just south of the site are US 29 and US 50, as well as the enormously-successful Mosaic District with its retail, restaurants, and movie theater. 

A short drive southeast of the new Rheinmetall HQ in Fairfax is perhaps Montgomery County's biggest and most-humiliating economic development loss to Northern Virginia of this century, the Northrop Grumman headquarters. And zooming out on the map, we find one of the biggest factors that brought both defense firms to Fairfax County: direct access to Dulles International Airport. It's the only airport in the region to boast the variety of essential global business destinations - and the frequency of direct flights to them - demanded by international business executives.

One can only shake one's head, and wonder what could have been, had Montgomery County and Maryland had smarter and more-competent leadership this century. Imagine if we had built the new Potomac River crossing, to give all of our increasingly-empty office parks in the I-270 corridor the same kind of direct access to Dulles that Virginia has. Imagine if we had built the Rockville Freeway through North Bethesda, White Flint, Aspen Hill, and Layhill, connecting I-270 with MD 355 and the InterCounty Connector, and passing directly by the many Executive Boulevard area office parks and Pike & Rose. Imagine if we had made our tax and fee burden more competitive with our rivals in the region, and our leaders had used the time they spend opining on national politics on attracting business to our county and state.

Virginia doesn't have to imagine. It's where economic development dreams regularly come true, thanks to the humiliatingly-weak and bumbling efforts on our side of the river. Montgomery County? It's where business goes to die - or flee to nearby jurisdictions before it does.

"We are proud to welcome Rheinmetall to Merrifield in Fairfax County," Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeffrey C. McKay said in a statement. "Our community is a place where groundbreaking innovation, national security, and global collaboration intersect, and this investment represents a powerful statement about the future of defense and technology in our region. Rheinmetall brings a bold vision and cutting-edge capabilities that align with our community’s commitment to supporting mission-driven industries and advancing solutions that keep our nation secure. We are deeply honored that Rheinmetall has chosen Fairfax County as the hub for their continued growth, as this investment will not only strengthen the strategic national security partnerships that are so vital to global progress, but also the resiliency of our local and regional economies."

"Rheinmetall’s decision to establish significant presence in the Merrifield area of Fairfax County reinforces our position as a premier destination for global defense leaders seeking proximity to federal partners, a deep bench of tech talent, and a collaborative business environment," Fairfax County Economic Development Authority President and CEO Victor Hoskins said. "The opening of our new Washington, D.C., region office spaces underscores our rapid growth and committed investment in Rheinmetall’s U.S. operations," American Rheinmetall Defense CEO Stephen Hedger added.

Assault at Weller Road Elementary School in Silver Spring

Montgomery County police were called to Weller Road Elementary School at 3301 Weller Road in Silver Spring on the evening of August 8, 2025, after someone reported having been the victim of a 2nd-degree assault there. The assault was reported at 7:22 PM last Friday night. It occurred in the parking lot outside the school building.

Montgomery County Council votes to increase impervious surfaces days after new flood risk was revealed

The Montgomery County Council speaks loudly and often about climate change and the environment, but their warmed-over Reaganomics policies betray their true values. This has been revealed once again as the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments has commissioned new flood zone maps that show much more of Montgomery County's land area to be at risk of flash flooding than the standard U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) maps. Several of the areas highlighted on the new maps experienced significant flooding during an unusually-heavy rain event last month. But just four days after MWCOG released its new flood danger maps to elected officials in MoCo and elsewhere in the region, the Montgomery County Council went ahead and approved new zoning rules that will increase the amount of impervious surface area in many of the very neighborhoods identified as now being at high risk of flash flooding.

Under the Reaganesque Thrive 2050/"More Housing N.O.W." zoning text amendment approved by a majority of the Council on July 22, 2025, the allowed increase in impervious surfaces are almost entirely permitted in the downcounty areas like Bethesda and Silver Spring. That is where the greatest flooding risks are located. Despite having access to this new flood danger report and maps on four days earlier on July 18, our "green" County Council bulldozed ahead, and voted to approve a massive increase in impervious surfaces in the very areas at highest risk. Single-family home neighborhoods where houses are currently surrounded by soil and grass lawns will now be open to four-story apartment buildings.

Just in the River Road corridor of Bethesda alone, the properties where the greater impervious surfaces will be allowed are within the flood zones of at least three major streams. Of course, the increased flooding we have already been experiencing in Montgomery County over the last decade is in large part due to the massive development approved this century by the County Council. This is the same reason we have an overpopulation of deer and even wandering bears in the downcounty, as these animals have been forced out of their forests that have fallen to the chainsaws and bulldozers of our supply-side, trickle-down, voodoo economics County Council. The same Council that swears by the Laffer Curve - but only when it applies to their developer sugar daddies.

The reckless decision by the Council could have ramifications in the 2026 elections. Councilmembers Evan Glass and Andrew Friedson voted for the ZTA to increase impervious surfaces in flood danger zones, and they are both running for County Executive. One of their opponents in the Democratic primary is their colleague, Councilmember Will Jawando, who did not vote for the ZTA. Jawando could now use this scandal as another point to differentiate himself from his Reagan Democrat rivals. And Councilmembers running for reelection will have to answer to voters who might raise the topic on the campaign trail, to explain why they voted to put their current and future constituents at greater risk of flood damage and death. Heckuva job, Brownie!

Purple Line downtown Silver Spring construction update (Video + Photos)

Reporting live from the hellscape of the Purple Line construction zone in downtown Silver Spring. Someday we'll all be aboard the train and saying it was worth it. Right? But for now, here's what Bonifant Street and the area around the Silver Spring Library look like at the moment. You'll also see the library's Purple Line station continuing to take shape.

Five Guys, Oak Barrel & Vine, Wetzel's Pretzels "coming soon" to Wheaton Plaza

Westfield's Wheaton Plaza mall has posted "coming soon" signage for three of the businesses expected to open in the coming months. The Costco wing has storefront-size signs for expensive burger joint Five Guys, Wetzel's Pretzels, and Montgomery County government liquor monopoly store Oak Barrel & Vine. Don't forget that Burger King is also under construction nearby in the food court. 

Charleys Cheesesteaks opening in Four Corners in Silver Spring

Charleys Cheesesteaks and Wings is coming to Four Corners in Silver Spring. The Ohio-based Philly cheesesteak chain is opening a new store at 10125 Colesville Road, at the Woodmoor Shopping Center. That space was previously home to The UPS Store. Construction is anticipated to begin in the coming weeks. This sounds like it will be a popular spot for students at Montgomery Blair High School across the road, and the wings are a bonus, as not every Charleys location offers them.

Cafe via Roma forced to temporarily close due to Silver Spring Purple Line construction

Cafe via Roma at 911 Bonifant Street in downtown Silver Spring has temporarily closed due to the disruption of the Purple Line light rail construction outside of its doors. The restaurant will be closed until further notice, according to a sign posted in the window, which identifies that construction as the reason for the closure. Businesses in that area between Georgia Avenue and the Silver Spring Library have been among those hit hardest by the barricades and heavy construction activity. Both of the Yelp reviews posted for the restaurant prior to the closure noted the difficulty those patrons had in locating the restaurant, and in finding a nearby parking space, as did six of the twenty-seven Google reviews posted.

Who is stealing the motorcycles of Aspen Hill?

If you have a motorcycle in the Aspen Hill area, make sure it's locked down tight. One or more thieves appear to be targeting the two-wheeled vehicles there. One was stolen from the 3000 block of Bel Pre Road between 11:00 PM on July 19, 2025 and 11:00 AM on July 20. Two motorcycles were stolen from the same home in the 4500 block of Falcon Street at 11:50 AM on July 20. Montgomery County police say they recovered one of those bikes on July 22, but did not identify the jurisdiction or location where it was found. If you have information that could assist police, or notice any suspicious activity, call police at (301) 279-8000 - or 911 if it is an emergency.

Montgomery County IG finds 1000s of MCPS employees with access to students haven't been screened

A new report issued by the Montgomery County Office of the Inspector General contains alarming findings about the safety of students in Montgomery County Public Schools. An investigation by IG Megan Limarzi and her office found that thousands of MCPS employees' criminal histories are not being monitored by the school system, about 4,900 employees currently have access to students but have not undergone a Child Protective Services background check, and that MCPS does not ensure that contractors and volunteers undergo a criminal history check before they begin working inside the school system. These are violations of Maryland law and MCPS' own rules, Limarzi wrote in her report.

MCPS Superintendent Thomas Taylor wrote a response to the OIG report's conclusions in which he accepted responsibility for the security failures, but also cast blame on the OIG for slowing the school system's response to the lapses, and for not recognizing the cost of implementing the report's recommendations, which Taylor estimated would be $2 million. Limarzi called Taylor's accusations "perplexing," and said she and her staff are disappointed "by the apparent attempts to transfer blame to this office" for "serious issues that have been well known at MCPS for years and yet have gone unaddressed."

"We appreciate the work of Inspector General Megan Limarzi and her team for bringing this important issue to light and providing the public with an impartial evaluation of the MCPS Background Screening Office," County Council President Kate Stewart and Vice-President Will Jawando said in a joint statement yesterday. They wrote that the Council's Audit Committee will conduct oversight hearings on the matter beginning September 26, 2025. Additional meetings will be held by two other Council committees later in the fall. "[T]he urgency with which these issues must be corrected cannot be overstated," Stewart and Jawando wrote.

This is only the latest revelation about lax security measures at MCPS. Previously, a lack of security cameras - and staff to actively monitor the ones that exist - came to light after violent crime and hate graffiti incidents inside MCPS schools. And a 2016 State of Maryland audit of MCPS uncovered lax cybersecurity protocols that did not adequately shield private student information from those accessing MCPS computer systems from inside - and outside - the organization.

Momiji Sushi to open in downtown Silver Spring

Momiji Sushi is "coming soon" to downtown Silver Spring. It will be located at 1201 Fidler Lane, not far from the Silver Spring Metro station. That was previously home to Cubano's, which closed a year ago. According to the sign posted at the property, the restaurant will serve ramen and small plates as well as sushi. First they have to overhaul the building, though. No target opening date has been announced.

Windsor to relocate at Wheaton Plaza

Windsor is planning to move inside Westfield's Wheaton Plaza mall. It is currently located on Level 1 of the mall, next to Hot Topic. The women's fashion boutique will soon relocate upstairs to Level 2, across from the food court in the JCPenney wing of the mall. "Coming soon" signage has been posted across the future storefront. Windsor has been family-owned and operated since its founding in 1937 - very impressive!

Popeyes, Pollo Campero, FingerLicking Soul Food open at Wheaton Plaza

Three new restaurants have opened in the food court at Westfield's Wheaton Plaza mall. Popeyes, Pollo Campero, and FingerLicking Soul Food are now open. For Popeyes, this is a return to the mall after a temporary closure. Pollo Campero is a rapidly-expanding Latin American chicken chain that already has one Wheaton location not far from the mall. FingerLicking Soul Food is a brand-new to Wheaton, but has already racked up a perfect 5-star score on Google Reviews. Meanwhile, another highly-anticipated new addition, Burger King, is still under construction behind a wall. Don't go to bed before the King!