A second adult male victim was transported to a hospital with serious injuries; police have not provided an update on his health status as of this writing. He was able to provide a description of the assailant to police before he was taken away in the ambulance that facilitated the quick location and arrest of Standfield.
The incident began when Rockville City and Montgomery County police, and Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service units, responded to a report of a stabbing in the 700 block of Hungerford Drive at 9:55 PM Saturday. Responders found an adult male suffering from a stab wound. The victim provided a description of the assailant, and was then transported to a local hospital with serious injuries.
Officers identified the suspect as Standfield, whom they found in the 900 block of Hungerford. Standfield possessed evidence linking him to the crime, detectives said, without identifying if that included the weapon used. While investigating the scene on those two blocks, officers noticed a second adult male sitting in a vehicle in the 800 block of Hungerford, who was also suffering from a stab wound. That second male victim was pronounced dead at the scene.
Detectives from the Major Crimes Division are asking anyone who has information about this stabbing and homicide to call the Major Crimes Division at 240-773-5070 or contact Crime Solvers of Montgomery County toll-free at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477). Callers can remain anonymous.
In a separate incident, a customer of the currency exchange kiosk at the mall reported that he was being watched by three teenagers as he counted the foreign currency he received at the counter. The male teens followed the customer throughout the mall. When he finally exited the mall, they began to close in on him. They fled only after the customer shouted at them, and began taking their pictures using his phone.
Montgomery County's elected officials and police chief have not publicly spoken about the trend of violent assaults at the mall this summer, nor provided more details about the incidents, which began May 18. The issue is clearly on their radar, and the mall operator's, as the police department has announced plans to open a "resource room" at the mall.
Mall patrons, particularly if shopping alone, should be aware of their surroundings. If what you see prompts concern about your safety in a given situation, contact mall security or the information desk, and request an escort to your vehicle. Call 911 if it is an emergency or immediate threat.
Photo courtesy RCPD
