GAITHERSBURG, MD – On Thursday, May 18, 2023, Emmanuel Leonard Simmonds, a 16-year-old from Gaithersburg, was arrested and charged with the murder of Tenneson Vaughn Leslie, Jr., an 18-year-old resident of Greenbelt. The incident occurred at the Wheaton Metro station where a physical altercation escalated, and Simmonds allegedly shot Leslie, Jr. on the Metro train platform. Following the shooting, Simmonds reportedly left the scene by boarding a train.
The Montgomery County Department of Police – Major Crimes has charged Simmonds with second-degree murder, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, first-degree assault, reckless endangerment, and possession of a loaded handgun. He is being charged as an adult. Another arrest was made of a 14-year-old male who is being charged with accessory after the fact.
Simmonds was apprehended at his home and was transported to the Montgomery County Central Processing Unit. Charges for the 14-year-old will be processed through the Maryland juvenile justice system.