Student arrested, charged in Blake High School shooting in Silver Spring

Montgomery County police have arrested a James Hubert Blake High School student in connection to the shooting that took place on Wednesday in the school's parking lot at 300 Norwood Road in Silver Spring. Taric Wilson, 17, of Silver Spring has been charged with first-degree assault, reckless endangerment, possession of a dangerous weapon on school property, carrying a loaded handgun, and felony use of a firearm in the commission of a violent crime. Ironically, police also confirmed that Wilson was the individual wounded during the parking lot skirmish, when his own gun discharged amidst the struggle, hitting him in the knee and foot. Wilson was arrested in Washington, D.C., and is now awaiting extradition to Montgomery County.

In another irony, the adult "outside intruder" that Montgomery County Public Schools officials tried to blame the incident on, was not the person who was carrying the firearm onto the campus. However, Djibia Gombo, 19, of Silver Spring did allegedly pick up the gun after Wilson dropped it. Police also allege that Gombo briefly pointed the gun at a "Montgomery County Public Schools security officer" before placing on the pavement.

Gombo was arrested at the scene. He has been charged with 1st-degree assault. Police say they are continuing their investigation of the incident. No mugshots of Wilson or Gombo were released by police with their statement this afternoon.

Romero's Italian Restaurant "opening soon" in Wheaton

New signage posted at Romero's Italian Restaurant promises it is "opening soon." Located at 2666 University Boulevard West, the restaurant had hoped to open this past winter, but it looks like the end of construction is now within sight. They're also hiring staff, according to the Help Wanted sign in the front window. This was most recently home to another Italian eatery, Cristina Ristorante Italiano.

Shooting at Blake High School in Silver Spring

Montgomery County police are investigating a shooting that took place on the grounds of James Hubert Blake High School at 300 Norwood Road in Silver Spring this morning. According to police, a County police Community Engagement Officer already at the campus was informed about a fight taking place in the school parking lot at 11:29 AM. School security officers and the CEO intervened in the brawl, and a handgun fell to the ground amid the struggle.

An initial summary of events press release from the police department does not state who dropped the gun. It does state that a 19-year-old male was taken into custody. The summary goes on to say that a short time after this altercation, a juvenile who was involved in the brawl arrived at a local hospital suffering from a gunshot wound. @TheDMVLive on Twitter obtained video that appears to show the moment when the gun was fired in the school parking lot.

BoBaPop Tea Bar coming soon to Aspen Hill

BoBaPop Tea Bar is expanding to Aspen Hill. The bubble tea chain has leased a space at the Aspen Hill Shopping Center at 13661 Connecticut Avenue. Construction is expected to begin in a few weeks. While there are many boba tea shops in Montgomery County, Aspen Hill is a veritable bubble tea desert, so BoBaPop should get a good reception in the community. The chain has existing Montgomery County locations in Rockville, Gaithersburg, and Germantown. Popular menu items include their tiger-striped Brown Sugar Black Milk Tea, Grapefruit Guava Tea, and a Chocolate Oreo Slush.

KaFean Koffee moving to Wheaton

It looks like KaFean Koffee is switching malls in Montgomery County. Their coffee kiosk recently closed at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. But look what's popping up here at Westfield's Wheaton Plaza mall. A kiosk with a KaFean Koffee sign! KaFean Koffee serves coffee from the Austrian coffee roaster Julius Meinl. Their kiosk also has a Rancilio Silvia espresso machine. When it opens, look for KaFean Koffee on Level 2 of the mall, near Kokee Tea.

Montgomery County orders closure of convenience store in Silver Spring

The Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services has ordered the closure of a convenience store in downtown Silver Spring. Hakim 1 Stop Shop at 8433 Georgia Avenue has been shut down by HHS inspectors under Montgomery County Code Chapter 15, Section 15-16(b), which reads as follows:

When it is imperative to preserve the immediate health and safety of the community, the [HHS] director may summarily revoke or suspend a license without the notice prescribed in subsection (a), and may direct that the facility be closed to the public until the hazard is corrected. 

The store only recently opened in March. Once code violations are corrected, and the corrections are approved by inspectors, Hakim 1 Stop Shop will be able to reopen. One positive update about the business is that a sign in the window now says it is open 24 hours a day, a rare thing in Montgomery County in recent years.

New book drop at Takoma Park Library

There's a new book drop at the Takoma Park Library at 101 Philadelphia Avenue. It is located to the left of the main entrance. Patrons are asked to only insert books for return into the slot. CDs and other fragile media and materials should be returned in person at the front desk. The book drop, of course, is open and accessible 24 hours a day. Library operating hours are now 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM Monday through Thursday, and 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM Friday through Sunday.