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Teen Hospitalized After Shooting Inside Wheaton Mall in Montgomery County; Suspect in Custody
Police said a 17-year-old suspect was detained after several rounds were fired, and the 13-year-old victim was taken to a hospital in stable condition.
On Friday, July 31, 2026, a 17-year-old suspect opened fire inside Westfield Wheaton Mall in Montgomery County, injuring a 13-year-old boy before police took him into custody around 6 p.m.
Surveillance video shows the suspect seated near a Cinnabon when a group of teenagers walked past him shortly before 6 p.m., prompting him to stand, draw a handgun and fire at the group.
An armed security officer at Dick's Sporting Goods detained the gunman after he fled the scene, while the victim struck in the leg was transported to a hospital in stable condition.
Prosecutors charged the 17-year-old as an adult with attempted second-degree murder and firearm-related offenses; he is held at the Montgomery County Central Processing Unit pending a bond hearing.
Montgomery County Police Commander David Smith stated, "This is something that we hate to see, especially with a youth or anyone," emphasizing the department's focus on recovering illegal firearms to prevent such incidents.