Shooting at Red Roof Inn in Rockville now a homicide after victim dies

A shooting at the Red Roof Inn in Rockville early this morning has become a homicide case after the victim died, Rockville City police said in a statement today. Rockville officers arrived at the hotel at 16001 Shady Grove Road at 12:15 AM this morning and found an adult male victim suffering from at least one gunshot wound. Due to the severity of the victim's condition, the investigation was transferred to the Montgomery County Police Department. 

Montgomery County detectives have now declared the case a homicide, after the victim was later declared deceased from his injuries. According to the Rockville police, multiple suspects have already been arrested. The Rockville police statement indicates that the incident was isolated, and that there is no danger to the greater community. Montgomery County police are expected to issue a statement on the homicide in the near future.

Rockville car dealership targeted by car thieves for the 2nd time in a week

Car thieves appear to be targeting auto dealerships in Rockville over the past week. Last Thursday, a vehicle was stolen from a used car dealership on Carroll Avenue. Monday afternoon, a car was reported stolen from another dealership in the 15600 block of Frederick Road at 4:00 PM. Rockville City police responded to the scene to investigate the theft.

Fangyan opening store at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Fangyan has leased a space at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. Signage has been installed outside the storefront. Fangyan is a Gaithersburg-based importer of emerging Chinese fashion labels now moving into bricks-and-mortar stores. Its first store was opened on M Street in the District.

Sayki opens at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda (Photos)

Sayki has opened at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. The boutique features fine menswear and accessories from Turkey. This is Sayki's sixth U.S. location. Look for Sayki on Level 1 in the former Michael Kors space. 

Strong-arm robbery in Rockville shopping center parking lot

Rockville City police responded to a report of a strong-arm robbery at a shopping center in the Twinbrook area early Sunday evening, June 19, 2022. The robbery was reported in a parking lot in the 2000 block of Veirs Mill Road at 6:55 PM.

Chase Bank property for sale in Rockville before the bank has even opened

The property that will soon house a Chase Bank branch at 460 Hungerford Drive in Rockville is now on the market for sale. After a controversial debate over the historical significance of a retail building on the site, including the trashing of a highly-respected prominent architect who designed it, Chase Bank finally received approval to demolish it and build a branch there. The current property sale would give the prospective buyer fee-simple ownership of the land, while Chase pays for maintenance, taxes and other costs. However, to see the sale price and terms, you must sign a non-disclosure agreement first.

Reardon Sullivan earns police union endorsement in Montgomery County Executive race

Republican Reardon Sullivan has been endorsed by the Montgomery County Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 35 in the primary election for County Executive. Increasing crime countywide has become a hot-button issue in the campaign for both of the major political parties. The police union criticized County leaders last year for defunding 27 police officer positions, amid a spike in armed carjackings that has continued through this year. 

Amidst local and nationwide anger over police-involved deaths, and calls from some Democrats in 2020 to "defund the police," County Police Chief Marcus Jones said morale among his force was the lowest he had ever seen during his career here. Officer retirements are up, and recruitment of new officers has been difficult. Where applications once numbered in the thousands, the 2021 recruit class numbered only 14. This past January, the chief told the County Council that he is losing an average of 4 officers per month to retirements.

Reardon has zeroed in on this crisis in his campaign messaging, promising to "fully fund the police," and to "give the men and women of law enforcement the respect they deserve." He has also vowed to return Student Resource Officers to public schools, where several violent incidents including a shooting have led to calls for bringing SROs back to campuses. "We all know that crime is on the rise in the County," Sullivan said in a statement. "The time for change and new leadership is now. We need leaders that can bring common sense back to our local government."