Airsoft gun assault leads to barricade situation in Silver Spring

Montgomery County police responded to an aggravated assault in the Layhill area of Silver Spring Wednesday, April 1, 2026. In the 13100 block of Ideal Drive at 10:13 AM Wednesday, a resident fired multiple rounds from an airsoft gun at a victim standing outside of his home. When officers arrived, the resident threatened them and barricaded himself inside his home. Police deployed an Emergency Response Team, which handles specialized and volatile scenarios such as barricaded suspects with the goal of protecting first responders, the community, and the suspect in question from harm if possible. The ERT team was successful in facilitating the arrest of the suspect, police say.

Fatal crash in Layhill

A Rockville man was killed in an auto accident in the Layhill area of Silver Spring early Sunday morning, Montgomery County police announced. Stefano Jorge Fernandes, 23, was traveling west on Norbeck Road in his 2006 Mazda6 around 1:08 AM, when it left the roadway for unknown reasons. The vehicle collided with several trees in the vicinity of Whitehaven Road, police said, and Fernandes was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The Collision Reconstruction Unit (CRU) continues to investigate this collision. Anyone with information regarding this collision is asked to contact CRU detectives at 240-773-6620.

Juicy Seafood to open at Plaza del Mercado

Juicy Seafood is coming to the Plaza del Mercado shopping center at 2259 Bel Pre Road in the Aspen Hill/Layhill area of Silver Spring. Their opening date will be Monday, August 3, 2020. The Cajun seafood restaurant specializes in fried and boiled dishes, as well as chicken, sausage, pasta and appetizers. They'll have a full bar serving beer, wine and cocktails, and - perhaps most importantly at this time - have a nice outdoor patio space, as well.

“We have lived in Silver Spring for more than 10 years and noticed that there aren't any Cajun-style seafood restaurants in the area,” Aaron Liu of Juicy Seafood said Wednesday. “We have partnerships with Juicy Seafood restaurants in Kentucky, Tennessee, and Missouri and it is a pleasure to bring Juicy Seafood to our own backyard at Plaza Del Mercado.” It's great to see this classic shopping center continue to thrive with quality tenants.

Photo by Debbi Mayster

More coronavirus cases in East Montgomery County nursing homes

Montgomery County has confirmed several more coronavirus cases in nursing homes in the East County. A staff member at Althea Woodland Nursing Home in the Montgomery Knolls area of Silver Spring has tested positive for Covid-19. So has a resident at Brook Grove in Sandy Spring, and a resident at Cadia Healthcare at 4011 Randolph Road in Wheaton.

The worst outbreak in the East County is at Layhill Center, located at 3227 Bel Pre Road near Aspen Hill, Aspenwood, and Leisure World. There, three residents and one staff member have been confirmed to have the coronavirus.

Rare February severe storm hits Montgomery County

Damaged car on
Norbeck Road

Montgomery County is being pounded by severe storms this morning. A tornado was issued for parts of Gaithersburg and Germantown, as well as the northeast corner of the upcounty near the Howard and Carroll County borders. Flooding has been reported across the upcounty, as have fallen trees and power lines. The whole county is being hit by the unusual February summer-style storm, but the upcounty is being affected the most.

Power lines, tree down on
Darnestown Road at
White Ground Road

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services have received so many emergency calls that they are now operating under Condition Red, which means there may be longer response times, particularly for non-critical incidents. Violent weather and storm damage have also impacted parts of Poolesville, Rockville and Silver Spring, most notably in the Dawsonville, Norbeck Road and Layhill Road areas.

Route 109 is currently blocked between MD 355 and the I-270 overpass after a tree fell across the roadway. Some lanes are also blocked at Route 28 and Route 107. Trees are also reported down by MCFRS on Circle Gate Drive in Germantown.

Photos by Pete Piringer/MCFRS

MCDOT to replace storm drain culvert on Alderton Road this month

The Montgomery County Department of Transportation will replace an outdated storm drain culvert along Alderton Road in Silver Spring this month. It will be replaced with corrugated steel pipe and head walls along both sides of the road, MCDOT says. Work will begin soon, weather permitting, and last up to three months. The project hours will be 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM to limit impact and noise on nearby residents.

Layhill teen missing

Gissell Alejandra Zavala, 17, who lives in the 14000 block of Cleese Court in the Layhill area, is missing. Zavala is described by Montgomery County police as a Latina, 5’ 2” tall, and weighing 150 pounds. She has black hair and brown eyes.  She has tattoos, including a tattoo on her left forearm.

Police and her family are concerned for Zavala’s physical and emotional welfare. Anyone who has information regarding the whereabouts of Gissell Alejandra Zavala is asked to call the Montgomery County Police non-emergency number at 301-279-8000 (24 hours).

ROBBERY ON CHESTER ST., SEXUAL ASSAULT ON THAYER AVENUE + MORE - SILVER SPRING/WHEATON CRIME UPDATE

Here's a roundup of crimes reported across eastern Montgomery County on August 14, according to crime data:

Theft. 14000 block Georgia Avenue (Aspen Hill).

Burglary. 4100 block Peppertree Lane (Aspen Hill).

Theft. 12200 block Bushey Drive.

Burglary. 13700 block Night Sky Drive (Layhill).

Stolen car. 200 block University Boulevard E.

Assault. 11400 block Lockwood Drive (White Oak).

Burglary. 3800 block Wildlife Lane.

Sexual assault. 500 block Thayer Avenue.

Assault. 8300 block Roanoke Avenue.

Robbery. 8100 block Chester Street.

STORM KNOCKS OUT POWER IN ASPEN HILL, LAYHILL, KEMP MILL/WHEATON AREAS - POWER OUTAGE UPDATE

Aspen Hill found itself in the path of a violent thunderstorm Sunday night, which left debris and significant power outages in the area. About an hour ago, the state of Maryland was warning drivers of tree debris in the right lane of southbound Georgia Avenue, near Bel Pre Road.

Over 300 Pepco customers are currently without power in Aspen Hill. Pepco crews are reportedly on the scene, and power restoration is estimated for 2:00 AM. A smaller outage near Flint Rock Road should be fixed by 1:00 PM Monday afternoon, Pepco says at this hour.

Another outage off Layhill Road, around Barrie Campus Drive, is currently under evaluation by Pepco, with restoration estimated at 3:00 AM this morning.

There is also a sizable outage in the Kemp Mill/Springbrook Forest area of Wheaton. Those are near Hermleigh Road (6 AM estimate), Stonington Place (12 PM), and Lovejoy Street (3 AM).

DRUG ARREST AT DAYS INN, ASPEN HILL ASSAULT + MORE - SILVER SPRING/WHEATON CRIME UPDATE

Here's a roundup of crimes reported across eastern Montgomery County on May 30, according to crime data:

Assault. 1900 block East-West Highway.

Drug arrest. 2100 block Dennis Avenue.

Drug arrest. Days Inn, 8040 13th Street.

Liquor arrest. 11200 block Grandview Avenue.

Assault. Bonifant Street at Dixon Avenue.

Assault/"rape." 8000 block 13th Street.

Drug arrest. Colesville Road at Noyes Drive.

Liquor arrest. 900 block Wayne Avenue.

Drug arrest. 2500 block Blueridge Avenue.

Assault. 13100 block Grenoble Drive (Aspen Hill).

Liquor arrest. 12300 block Georgia Avenue (Glenmont).

Liquor arrest. 8600 block Piney Branch Road.

Theft. 8700 block Arliss Street.

Vehicle burglary. Unit block of Manor Spring Court (Layhill/Bel Pre area).

Assault/"other sexual offense." 600 block University Boulevard E.

Drug arrest. 8800 block Piney Branch Road.

ASSAULTS AT WHEATON PLAZA, WOODSIDE FOREST + MORE - SILVER SPRING/WHEATON CRIME UPDATE

Here's a roundup of crimes reported across eastern Montgomery County on April 25, according to crime data:

Vehicle burglary. 2600 block East-West Highway (Rock Creek Forest).

Vehicle burglary. 8700 block Brookville Road (Lyttonsville).

Burglary. 2100 block Belvedere Boulevard (McKenney Hills).

Assault. 9500 block Woodland Drive (Woodside Forest).

Disorderly conduct. Georgia Avenue at August Drive (Forest Estates).

Vehicle theft. 8000 block Eastern Drive (downtown Silver Spring).

Disorderly conduct. Parking Garage 7, 8530 Cameron Street (downtown Silver Spring).

Disorderly conduct. 1200 block East-West Highway (downtown Silver Spring).

Assault. Wheaton Plaza.

Theft. Wheaton Plaza.

Theft. Target at Wheaton Plaza.

Theft. JC Penney at Wheaton Plaza.

Vehicle burglary. 8000 block Kennett Street (downtown Silver Spring).

Liquor arrest. Grandview Avenue at Ennalls Avenue (Wheaton).

Theft. 8500 block Georgia Avenue (downtown Silver Spring).

Theft. 8200 block Georgia Avenue (downtown Silver Spring).

Theft. 1500 block Forest Glen Road.

Theft. 900 block Ellsworth Drive (downtown Silver Spring).

Drug arrest. Wayne Avenue at Dale Drive (downtown Silver Spring).

Drug arrest. English Orchard Court at Randolph Road (Glenmont).

Burglary. 11100 block Lombardy Road (Northwood Park).

Burglary. 8500 block Glenview Avenue (Kilmarock).

Vehicle burglary. 8800 block Piney Branch Road.

Drug arrest. 1100 block Jackson Avenue (Takoma Park).

Vehicle burglary. 14300 block Piccadilly Road (Layhill).

VEHICLE BREAK-IN AT LEISURE WORLD, ASPEN HILL/BEL PRE ROBBERY - SILVER SPRING WHEATON CRIME UPDATE

Here's a roundup of crimes reported across eastern Montgomery County on April 19, according to crime data:

Drug arrest. 1300 block East-West Highway (downtown Silver Spring).

Vehicle theft. 10800 block Georgia Avenue (near Wheaton House apartments).

Theft. JC Penney at Wheaton Plaza.

Theft. Wheaton Plaza.

Liquor arrest. 11200 block Grandview Avenue (Wheaton).

Drug arrest. 8700 block Cameron Street (downtown Silver Spring).

Drug arrest. Georgia Avenue at University Boulevard (Wheaton).

Vehicle burglary. 900 block Wayne Avenue (downtown Silver Spring).

Assault. 11200 block Markwood Drive (Wheaton Forest area).

Drug arrest. Granville Drive at Colesville Road (Indian Spring Terrace area).

Assault. Georgia Avenue at Randolph Road (Glenmont).

Burglary. Unit block of Columbia Avenue (Takoma Park).

Assault. Piney Branch Road at University Boulevard (New Hampshire Estates).

Robbery. 14100 block Georgia Avenue (Aspen Hill/Bel Pre area).

Drug arrest. Cresthaven ES (Hillandale).

Burglary. 14400 block Bakersfield Court (Layhill/Plaza del Mercado area).

Vehicle burglary. 3000 block S. Leisure World Boulevard (Leisure World).

Drug arrest. 11400 block Lockwood Drive (White Oak).

Burglary. 700 block Milshire Court (North Sherwood Forest).

RASH OF AUTO BREAK-INS CONTINUES IN SILVER SPRING NEIGHBORHOODS - SILVER SPRING/WHEATON CRIME UPDATE

More vehicle break-ins were reported on April 4. Affected neighborhoods continue to include Woodside Park, Rosemary Hills, Lyttonsville, downtown Silver Spring, Stonegate, Nottingham Woods, and Northwood Park.

Here's a roundup of crimes reported across eastern Montgomery County on April 4, according to crime data:

Vehicle burglary. 2600 block Spencer Road (Rosemary Hills).

Vehicle burglary. 8900 block Maine Avenue (Lyttonsville).

Theft. 2700 block Barker Street (Capitol View Park area).

Vehicle burglary. 8700 block Milford Avenue (Rosemary Hills).

Vehicle burglary. 8500 block Cameron Street (downtown Silver Spring).

Vehicle burglary. 1200 block Fidler Lane (downtown SS).

Theft. 9400 block Crosby Road (Woodside Park).

Theft. Wheaton Plaza.

Assault. 11100 block Georgia Avenue (Wheaton).

Vehicle burglary. 1300 block Dale Drive (Woodside Park).

Theft. 8700 block Colesville Road (downtown SS).

Vehicle burglary. 9100 block Fairview Road (Woodside Park).

Burglary. 7800 block Fenton Street.

Theft. 800 block Thayer Avenue.

Drug arrest. Wheaton High School.

Theft. 7500 block Maple Avenue (Takoma Park).

Vehicle burglary. 400 block Eisner Street (Northwood Park).

Vehicle burglary. 10400 block Mount Quail Road (Northwood Park).

Drug arrest. Kennedy High School (Glenmont).

Assault. 9300 block Piney Branch Road (New Hampshire Estates vicinity).

Theft. 2000 block Queensguard Road (Layhill).

Vehicle burglary. 9300 block Avenel Road (New Hampshire Avenue corridor).

Assault. 700 block Oxford Square Drive (Stonegate).

Vehicle burglary. 300 block Flannery Lane (Nottingham Woods).

Vehicle burglary. 11700 block Old Columbia Pike (White Oak).

Theft. 14400 block Northwyn Drive (Stonegate/Colesville).

Theft. 12500 block Old Columbia Pike (Fairland).

DRUG ARREST AT EINSTEIN HS, ASSAULT AT WHITE OAK MCDONALD'S - SILVER SPRING/WHEATON/GLENMONT CRIME UPDATE

Here's a roundup of crimes reported across eastern Montgomery County on March 21, according to crime data:

Drug arrest. Einstein High School (Wheaton).

Assault. 2900 block University Boulevard W. (near Wheaton Plaza).

Drug arrest. Spring Street at Georgia Avenue (downtown Silver Spring).

Disorderly conduct. 8700 block Ramsey Avenue (downtown Silver Spring).

Assault. Wheaton Plaza.

Theft. Wheaton Plaza.

Vehicle burglary. 2000 block Dayton Street (Glen Haven area of Wheaton).

Drug arrest. 7800 block Eastern Avenue (downtown Silver Spring).

Liquor arrest. 11200 block Grandview Avenue (Wheaton).

Liquor arrest. Public Parking Lot 13 (Wheaton).

Disorderly conduct. 11200 block Grandview Avenue.

Liquor arrest. Dixon Avenue at Bonifant Street (downtown Silver Spring).

Theft. 8600 block Colesville Road (downtown Silver Spring).

Theft. 8800 block Cameron Street (downtown Silver Spring).

Assault/"kidnapping case." Fenton Street at Ellsworth Drive (downtown Silver Spring).

Theft. Majestic Theater (downtown Silver Spring).

Vehicle burglary. 900 block Wayne Avenue (downtown Silver Spring).

Vehicle burglary. Whole Foods (downtown Silver Spring).

Assault. 500 block Thayer Avenue.

Weapons arrest. 900 block University Boulevard W. (Kemp Mill vicinity in Wheaton).

Liquor arrest. 12400 block Georgia Avenue (Glenmont).

Drug arrest. 7-11 (Glenmont).

Drug arrest. 1100 block Loxford Terrace (Kemp Mill).

Vehicle burglary. 9300 block Biltmore Drive (Long Branch).

Drug arrest. Northgate Shopping Center (Aspen Hill).

Theft. Kmart (Aspen Hill).

Vehicle burglary. 4000 block Postgate Terrace (Aspen Hill/Bel Pre area).

Burglary. 300 block Lyric Lane (Route 29 corridor).

Assault. McDonald's (White Oak).

Assault/"rape." 800 block Downs Drive (White Oak).

Vehicle burglary. 2200 block Bear Valley Terrace (near Layhill).

Drug arrest. 13400 block New Hampshire Avenue (Colesville).

AUTO BREAK-INS ON GIST AVE., DRUG ARREST AT BLAIR HS - SILVER SPRING/WHEATON CRIME UPDATE

Two vehicles were broken into in the 700 block of Gist Avenue last Friday, according to crime data. If you are a resident in the area, make sure to lock your vehicle and remove any items from the cabin.

Many drug arrests were reported Friday, as well, including one at Blair High School.

Here's a roundup of crimes reported across eastern Montgomery County on February 28, according to crime data:

Vehicle burglary. 4200 block Garrett Park Road (Veirs Mill ES area).

Liquor arrest. 11200 block Grandview Avenue (Wheaton).

Theft. 11200 block Georgia Avenue (Wheaton).

Assault. 700 block Ellsworth Drive (downtown Silver Spring).

Vehicle burglary. 700 block Gist Avenue (Silver Spring).

Vehicle theft. 12400 block Dalewood Drive (Wheaton).

Vehicle burglary. 700 block Gist Avenue.

Drug arrest. Wayne Avenue and Sligo Creek Parkway.

Assault. 200 block Ethan Allen Avenue (Takoma Park).

Drug arrest. Carroll Avenue at Manor Circle (Takoma Park).

Drug arrest. XX block University Boulevard E. (Four Corners vicinity).

Drug arrest. Blair HS.

Drug arrest. Domer Avenue and Flower Avenue (Takoma Park).

Theft. 5200 block Russett Road (Aspen Hill).

Drug arrest. Bel Pre Road and Georgia Avenue.

Theft. 13500 block Tivoli Lake Boulevard (Layhill area).

Burglary. 9600 block New Hampshire Avenue.

Burglary. 300 block Soapstone Lane (Stonegate area).

Theft. 2300 block Broadbirch Drive (Calverton).

Drug arrest. Columbia Pike and Fairland Road.

CRIME REPORT FOR ASPEN HILL, BEL PRE, CONNECTICUT AVE. ESTATES, LEISURE WORLD, LAYHILL - MARCH 22-24

A theft at Leisure World, and a stolen car in Layhill are 2 notable incidents in this Aspen Hill, Bel Pre, Connecticut Avenue Estates, Leisure World and Layhill crime report for March 22-24, 2013.

MARCH 22:

Theft. 3900 block Aspen Hill Road.

Disorder. 3000 block Bel Pre Road.

Drug arrest. 14300 block Georgia Avenue/4050 Bel Pre Road.

Disorder. 14000 block Georgia Avenue.

Theft from vehicle. 12800 block Bushey Drive.

MARCH 23:

Theft from vehicle. 3600 block Gleneagles Drive, Leisure World.

Stolen car. 14500 block Layhill Road.

Disorder. 3800 block Bel Pre Road.

Disorder. 1800 block Middlebridge Drive.

Disorder. 4700 block Wissahican Avenue.

MARCH 24:

Theft from vehicle. 3600 block Bel Pre Road.

CRIME REPORT FOR ASPEN HILL, BEL PRE, CONNECTICUT AVENUE ESTATES, LAYHILL, LEISURE WORLD

A robbery, a stolen car, drug busts, and lots of disorderly people, jump off the rap sheet for March 8-11 in Aspen Hill, Bel Pre, Connecticut Avenue Estates, Layhill and Leisure World.

And there really were "no rules" at Outback Steakhouse during a disorderly conduct episode.

March 8

Drug arrest. XX Valleyfield Court.

Disorder. 2200 block Bel Pre Road.

Drug arrest. 1440 block Homecrest Rd./3050 Bel Pre Road.

March 9

Theft. 13700 block Connecticut Avenue.

Disorder. 3200 block Hewitt Avenue.

Disorder. 14800 block Village Gate Drive.

Disorder. 14200 block Grand Pre Road.

Disorder. Outback Steakhouse.

March 10

Theft from vehicle. 3900 block Peppertree lane.

Disorder. 14900 block Habersham Circle.

Disorder. 3600 block Pear Tree Court.

Disorder. 1310 block Superior Street.

Disorder.  12900 block Goodhill Road.

March 11:

Stolen car. 3300 block Weeping Wiilow Court.

Robbery. 3800 block Aspen Hill Road.

Disorder. 13800 block Georgia Avenue.

Disorder. 13500 block Georgia Avenue.

Drug arrest. 3900 block Bel Pre Road.

Theft from vehicle. 3800 block International Drive.

CRIME REPORT FOR ASPEN HILL, BEL PRE, LEISURE WORLD, GLENMONT AND LAYHILL

Here is a list of crimes reported to Montgomery County Police between February 25-27, 2013 in the Aspen Hill/Leisure World/Bel Pre/Layhill area:

Thursday, February 25:

Theft from vehicle. 14000 block Castaway Drive.

Theft. 14600 block Bauer Drive.

Theft from vehicle. 4000 block Peppertree Lane.

Theft from vehicle. 4000 block Postgate Terrace.

Theft. 14000 block Georgia Avenue.

Friday, February 26:

Drug arrest. 3200 block Whispering Pines Drive.

Assault.  3300 block Beaverwood Lane.

Theft. 3400 block Hewitt Avenue.

Burglary. 3000 block Hewitt Avenue.

Theft from vehicle. 13800 block Vintage Lane.

Drug arrest. 14200 block Layhill Road.

Robbery. 2200 block Bel Pre Road.

Burglary. 14200 block North Gate Drive.

Saturday, February 27:

Assault. 3800 block Tynewick Drive.

Assault. 14500 block Macbeth Drive.

Assault. 12900 block Margot Drive.

Disorder. 13500 block Georgia Avenue.

Theft from vehicle. 2800 block Vixen Lane.